US Tour news: Overnight leader Graeme McDowell managed only a one-over-par 73 in yesterday's second round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans and slipped to joint 11th behind the new pacesetter, Joe Durant.
McDowell had taken the first-round lead by holing his second shot to the ninth, his last, with a gap wedge from 118 yards for an eagle two. However, on the resumption yesterday he missed the green at the first and bogeyed.
The Northern Irishman did have birdies at the seventh and 15th but dropped further shots at the 14th and 18th, where his approach found rough, and missed from six feet to finish on a seven-under total of 137, along with Houston Open champion Stuart Appleby of Australia (72).
Meanwhile, Durant, a three-time winner on the US Tour, matched McDowell's first-day score with a flawless 64 to move three shots clear of the chasing pack. The 42-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, recorded four birdies on each nine for a 36-hole total of 12-under 132.
Twice US Open champion Retief Goosen was among a group of seven players tied for second place.
The world number three shot a five-birdie 69, finishing level with Britain's Ian Poulter (68), Australia's Stephen Leaney (67) and American quartet Michael Allen (67), Charley Hoffman (69), Eric Axley (65) and Ryan Hietala (68).
Australia's Aaron Baddeley, who won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Heritage Classic two weeks ago, was a further stroke back on eight-under 136 after carding a 67.
Masters champion Phil Mickelson had to be content with a 71, going in the water with his third shot to the long 15th and running up a double-bogey seven.
Mickelson now stands five under, as does Justin Rose, while Padraig Harrington, who played with the American star, improved to 21st place on six under following his 68.
