Golf

Graeme McDowell struggles to six-over 76 in Memphis

Stephanie Meadow cards three-over 76 in first round of Women’s PGA Championship

Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland plays her tee shot on the par-five 18th hole during the first round of the 2015 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on the West Course at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, New York. Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images

Thu Jun 11 2015 - 21:28

Graeme McDowell is still struggling for form ahead of next week’s US Open after he opened up with a six-over 76 in the first round of the St Jude Classic in Memphis.

McDowell, winner of the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, made his only birdie of the day on his second hole, the par-three 11th, when he sunk a 23-foot putt for a two.

Back to back bogeys on the 17th and 18th put McDowell back over par at the turn, and he would add three more bogeys and a double-bogey over TPC Southwind’s front nine to leave himself towards the tail of the field.

American Brooks Koepka and England's Greg Owen took a share of the early clubhouse lead on six under after both carded rounds of 64.

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Pádraig Harrington was among the late starters in Memphis.

Meanwhile, Ireland's Stephanie Meadow carded a three-over 76 in the first round of the Women's PGA Championship at Westchester Country Club in New York.

Starting out from the 10th hole., Meadow made bogeys on the 11th and 13th but birdies on the 14th and 18th got her back to level par by the turn.

The front nine proved a struggle for Meadow as she carded bogeys on the first, third and seventh holes.

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