McDowell and Lawrie’s hot streak

THE PGA Championship has never been a particularly kind event to the Irish, our only win coming courtesy of the late Harry Bradshaw at Llandudno in 1958.

But the omens are bright for bridging the 47 year gap after yesterday’s opening round of the €4 million BMW sponsored event at Wentworth.

Thirty two year-old Dubliner Peter Lawrie set the tone with a five under par 67 in the first group on the course and retained the advantage until just before 6 o’clock when he was joined by Graeme McDowell, who shrugged off the frustration of missing the cut in last week’s Nissan Irish Open. He could now be poised for a third tournament victory, having previously captured the Scandinavian Masters in 2002 and the Italian Open last year. An interloper in the person of Frenchman Philippe Lima also got in on the act late in the day when a birdie on the 18th put him alongside the two Irishmen.