G-Mac straight down to work
While McIlroy rests up before trying next week to become the youngest Claret Jug holder since 1893 — and the first ever player to make a US Open-British Open double his first two majors — McDowell fired a second round 64 to set up the possibility of a second Barclays Scottish Open title in four years.
Last year’s US Open champion stands 11 under par at halfway and when play was suspended for the day after two thunderstorm delays he was sharing top spot with Scots Peter Whiteford and Scott Jamieson.
Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, world numbers one and two, and British Open-chasing Colin Montgomerie were among those affected by the hold-up.
Donald and Westwood managed 11 and nine holes respectively and both will resume on seven under, while Montgomerie is one further back and only joint 25th now in pursuit of the top five finish he needs to qualify for Sandwich.
McDowell does not know yet whether he will meet with his Ryder Cup partner at Royal St George’s next Wednesday.
That is expected to be McIlroy’s one remaining look at the course after taking a trip there earlier this week, whereas McDowell is planning 18 holes on Monday and then nine on each of the following two days.
“Of course I would love to have a knock with him,” he said. “I know he’s spending a couple of days down there this week and he flew late to Congressional — maybe that’s the magic recipe now.”
McDowell was only joint 30th when he resumed on three under, but had an eagle and two birdies in his first four holes — “a dream start” — and then added four more birdies.
“We realised conditions were going to be easy and it was going to be there for the taking a little bit,” he added.
Although Royal St George’s will be far, far tougher McDowell does not mind the gentle warm-up.
“I think the balance is just right. If we had been coming to a brutal test here maybe you’d be mentally worn out.”
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