Graeme McDowell found himself stuck in the mud on a tougher day two and now trails the top of the leaderboard by eight shots at the halfway stage of the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
The Northern Irishman let slip a two-under par outward half with two bogeys on the way home in an even par round of 71 that saw him drop 13 places down the board into a share of 23rd at five-under par.
With more than 9 inches of rainfall from Monday leaving El Camaleon flooded and forcing a washout Thursday, the tournament is set for a Monday finish – something we hoped would prove a good omen for former Champion McDowell who thrived in a stop-start renewal of the event in 2015 before capturing the title on a Monday on that occasion also in Mexico.
However the former US Open Champion has work to do to reignite his title challenge on moving day with American Harris English taking a one shot lead at 13-under par after firing a superb seven-under par round of 64 despite the wind on Saturday.
“I’ve had a lot of success here,” said English who won at Mayakoba in 2013 – his last PGA Tour win and all of 170 events ago.
“I love the place and I love the greens so I feel like if I can get it on the dancefloor, hit 14, 15, 16 greens a round then I’ll give myself a chance.
“With this wind, anything can happen but if I can stay the course and keep hitting the way I am then I’m in a really good spot.”
Compatriot Vaughn Taylor is in second place after taking route 66 to the clubhouse while another American in recent winner, Brandon Todd is a shot further back in third.
First round leader, New Zealander Danny Lee finds himself in a three-way tie for fourth at 10-under par.
Full scoring HERE
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