McDowell leads Irish effort in hunt to catch Tiger

YOU wouldn’t have wanted to be out in the latter part of the day at St Andrews yesterday but ironically that’s when the challenge fared best.

Graeme McDowell finished strongly for a 69 to lead the five-strong Irish challenge for the Open Championship and stand three behind leader Tiger Woods. Paul McGinley signed for a 70 and is also nicely placed, but a cold putter hurt Darren Clarke badly and he closed on 73.

Peter Lawrie failed to capitalise on a solid start and he was two over on 74, while British amateur champion Brian McElhinney from Donegal is well back on 78.