McDowell happy to play it slow and steady this time

LEADING the way in round one of the Open Championship is nothing new to Graeme McDowell although he came up short at Turnberry yesterday after looking a likely candidate for much of his round.

Birdies at the first, third and fifth moved him to three under par but much of the momentum went out of his game after he three putted the short sixth and in the end he had to settle for a two under par 68. So he was unable to emulate 2006 when he led the way at Hoylake with a six under 66 or last year at Royal Birkdale where he tied for first place after a two under 69.

“I guess there is no point in leading the Open on the Thursday, I’ve tried that and it doesn’t work! So I’m quite content to post my two-under, sit back and really creep up along at the weekend.