GOLF:EUROPEAN RYDER Cup player Graeme McDowell continued his fine form at the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg with a sparkling 68 to sit one shot off the lead after the second round yesterday.
McDowell, returning to action for the first time since last month’s US PGA Championship, conjured up five birdies to move to seven-under 137, three shots clear of Ryder Cup team mate Miguel Angel Jimenez who also went round in 68.
Britain’s John Parry, the world number 317, hit a five-under par 67, carding five birdies without dropping a shot, to hold the midway lead.
“It’s very much the old cliche of a game of two halves, this golf course,” world number 14 McDowell said.
“This front nine’s quite tricky and you’ve got to drive the ball unbelievably well to have any chance of making birdies,” he added. “On the back nine it’s a lot more three woods and hybrids off the tees which offers you a few more opportunities.”
McDowell held the clubhouse lead on seven under with Jose Manuel Lara only for Parry to overtake him with the joint-best round of the day.
The 23-year-old Challenge Tour graduate had a flawless round with five birdies to take top spot by one shot, but he said there’s plenty of golf left to be played.
“It’s a bit early to be looking at leaderboards – we’re only in the second round,” said Parry, a Walker Cup team-mate of Rory McIlroy. “It is a lead, though, so I’m happy going into the weekend in front. I’d always prefer to be in the lead than not.”
A good finish at the Diamond Country Club should be enough to secure Parry’s card for next season – something Lara is looking to achieve as well.
“I still feel young in myself, but there are many young Spanish guys coming up now and already have their cards,” said the 33-year-old, who could not match his opening 66 as he signed for a 71. “I need to fight this year and that’s what I’m doing.”
McDowell, who is playing in his last event before next month’s Ryder Cup, birdied four of his first five holes after starting on the back nine. Having dropped a shot at the 17th he claimed it back at the next and followed up with nine successive pars.
Simon Thornton, also in the chase for a qualification spot for next season, signed for a two under par round of 70 for a share of tenth place. Damien McGrane completed his back nine in 40 shots and carded a 73 to fall back to one under overall.
Gary Murphy overcame a double bogey on the seventh hole to finish level par after a back nine of 33 to the make cut and earn a valuable weekend stay in Austria.
