McDowell eagles his way to 65 in Riyadh

By Bernie McGuire, Riyadh

The Graeme McDowell Enterprises Christmas party has been delayed for 48-hours declared Graeme McDowell who was delighted with efforts in hot conditions on day two of the PIF Saudi International here in Riyadh.

Unlike a battling first day effort, McDowell was very much at ease, sensationally capping his round with an eagle ‘2’ by holing a chip shot at the par-4 third hole – his 12th.

The former Saudi champ sandwiched the eagle among birdies at the first, second and fourth holes en route to an eventual six-under 65.

The effort saw McDowell jump just over 50 places from T108th position following a struggling opening three-over 74 to just outside the top-50.

“It was a great turnaround from yesterday and good news in that it has delayed the McDowell Enterprises for 48-hours”, he said smiling.

“I was all rusty yesterday and had a couple of months off but I have been working hard for the past two months but have not hit a lot of balls.

“I took me nine holes to figure out where my swing was at yesterday and while I figured it out a little bit on my back nine yesterday while this morning I hung in there the first nine holes, making the turn at one under and then birdied one and two and holed my second on three and birdied four which was nice.

“So, I was on my surfboard today which was nice and my persistence was rewarded today as it’s difficult to make putts on the greens as they’re not up to the standard we’d like to be.

“They are better in the morning, like this morning, than they are in the afternoon.

“So, happy to hang in there and have another two rounds to play and a really good tournament”.

As McDowell said he capped his round at the 434-yard par-4 third hole where he played a 125-yard gap wedge second shot.

“I then had the putter out walking up the green and I said to Kenny (Comboy – caddy) this could be quite close”, said McDowell.

“It was nice to see the ball in the cup because I just couldn’t get anything going and then all of a sudden it all happened in a flash … birdie, birdie, eagle and birdie”, he said.

“So, it got me back into the tournament which was nice and now looking forward to the closing 36 holes and trying to sign off my year on a bright note”.

The trio of Aussie Cam Smith (64), Joaquin Niemann (66) and American Logan McAlister (63) were the lunchtime leaders at 11-under.