Masters 2009 McDowell

In a week when many of the 23 Europeans in the field have struggled, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell has put himself in position to attack over the weekend. He added a 1-over-par 73 on Friday to his first round 69, to be 2-under-par for the Tournament.

“It was very difficult out there,” he said, “and I was on the wrong end of a few gusts. I’m a little disappointed with a 73, but no one is going to go crazy out there and the course is only going to get tougher. I am hitting the ball great and I am where I need to be for the weekend. There is no point leading this evening or tomorrow evening, it’s all about Sunday evening. I want to get myself into the final few groups on Sunday.”

McDowell’s big mistake came at the par-5 15th, when his approach went way over the green, and he was lucky not to go into the water at the back. A couple of poor chips followed and he had to hole a good putt for a bogey. “I had 225 yards to the pin,” he said, “and I hit my hybrid which is my 215 club. But, the wind changed as I swung the club and there’s not much you can do about that.”

Ian Poulter also hung in on there on a tough day. Don’t miss The Masters action!