Putter sets up Graeme McDowell for another big weekend
Graeme McDowell in action during the second round of the Canadian Open
GRAEME McDOWELL is the hottest putter on the US PGA Tour this season and he showed why at Royal Montreal during the flawless second round 65 that thrust him squarely into contention for his second tournament victory in four weeks.
McDowell, who splendidly defended his Open de France title earlier this month, putted the lights out as his low round of 2014 eased the Portrush native to seven-under and within three of early clubhouse leaders Jim Furyk and Tim Petrovic at the RBC Canadian Open.
"The greens were really nice this morning, very receptive, and it's always nice to start rolling that little pill into the cup," said McDowell.
He tapped-in from two feet for his first birdie of the day at 12, then holed from 14 feet for another at 15, followed by a 17- footer at 16, a 21-footer at 18 and an 18-footer for his fifth and final birdie of the day at three. A couple more chances went-a-begging down the stretch, but "it's always good to go into the weekend in contention," said G-Mac.
A top-three finish in Canada will propel McDowell into the all-important top-nine on the European Ryder Cup rankings.
Furyk, who finished fourth at Hoylake after a 65 last Sunday, also putted the lights out as he cruised around Royal Montreal in seven-under 63 to lead in the clubhouse with Petrovic on 10-under.
Playing in the same group as Furyk, Graham DeLaet also shot 63 to lie just two off the lead in his national championship. Sadly, McDowell's playing 'partner', Luke Donald missed the cut on four-over after his 73 yesterday.
Meanwhile, Waterford's Kevin Phelan went through halfway at the M2M Russian Open in a tie for ninth and with high hopes of clinching his best finish on the European Tour in Moscow.
Rookie Phelan (23), who won his card at Q-School last winter, was six off the pace set by England's David Horsey on 11-under, but struck the ball well enough during yesterday's two-under 70 to fancy his chances. He hit all 14 of the generous fairways Jack Nicklaus laid out at Tseleevo, though a couple of loose approach shots down the stretch led to bogey at 14 and 16.
Phelan's best finish to date was a share of sixth at the Tshwane Open in March. However, after missing 10 of 17 cuts, he currently lies 144th in the Race to Dubai with €83,555 banked.
Damien McGrane's second round 71 eased him into 12th on four-under. Simon Thornton was 30th on one-under after a 73 that included a frustrating three-putt bogey at 18.
David Higgins missed the cut by six on eight-over after his second round 73.
Gareth Shaw and Niall Kearney were in hot pursuit as Swede Jens Fahrbring, England's Jason Palmer and Filippo Bergamaschi of Italy shared the lead on 10-under at Le Vandreuil Challenge.
Lurgan native Shaw shared fifth on eight-under, while Dubliner Kearney had three birdies on a spotless card as he matched Shaw's second round 68 to tie seventh on seven-under.
Rúaidhrí McGee missed the cut by one on one-over after a decent 69, while Reeve Whitson's professional debut came to a premature conclusion as he finished three beyond the mark.
Mourne man Whitson and Rosapenna rep McGee both play next week's Azerbaijan Challenge Open.
Richard Kilpatrick got within a whisker of forcing a play-off at the Concra Wood Open in Castleblaney.
The Banbridge prospect finished just one behind Yorkshire winner Steve Uzzell (26) on eight-under after a bogey on the final hole of his third round 70 in the 54-hole EuroPro Tour event.
Uzzell won €12,638 after clinching victory, while Kilpatrick banked €6319. Jonathan Caldwell was sixth and Mark Murphy also made it into the top 20.
CANADIAN OPEN
Live, Sky Sports 4, 7.0pm
Russian Open
Live, Sky Sports 4, 11.0am
