McDowell one clear in Shanghai
Graeme McDowell will enjoy a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
The Northern Irishman was three clear at the start of play on Saturday, but carded a 71 to see his lead trimmed to just the single stroke as World Golf Championships newcomer Hiroshi Itawa climbed up the leaderboard to claim second place.
McDowell, who is 11-under-par for the tournament, produced two flawless rounds of 67 before the weekend but struggled to keep up the pace while Us Open Champion Martin Kaymer and Masters winner Bubba Watson are within reach at 9-under-par in a tie for third place.
“I played reasonably solid today,” McDowell told the European tour’s official website.
“I thought conditions were a little bit more difficult, colder, obviously a little bit of overnight rain made the golf course play a little bit longer.”
McDowell, who had not dropped a shot all week, carded three birdies and two bogeys in the third round.
“I was generally happy with the way I hit the golf ball. I didn’t quite score as well as I did the last couple days but I gave myself some confidence from a ball-striking point of view that I can get the job done tomorrow.”
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick: Falling short at US PGA Championship ‘hurts a hell of a lot’
Fitzpatrick carded a closing three-over-par 73 to miss out on the play-off between eventual winner Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris by two shots.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipEmotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA ChampionshipRory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA ChampionshipPaul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA ChampionshipMito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.