McDowell leads, but strong field on his back

GRAEME McDowell will take a one-shot lead into today’s third round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City.

McDowell overcame a double-bogey seven on the 14th to card a five-under-par 67 at the Gary Player Country Club.

At seven under par the former US Open champion tops a crowded leaderboard with defending champion Lee Westwood, world number four Martin Kaymer, Swede Robert Karlsson and American Jason Dufner all one shot behind.

World number one Luke Donald is five shots off the pace after a 72 left him two under alongside home favourite and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Schwartzel began the day tied for the lead with

Westwood but struggled to a 74 after running up a double-bogey six on eight.

McDowell’s own double bogey came on the par-five 14th after he pulled his drive into the undergrowth, but the Irishman also had seven birdies.

“That’s exactly what I wanted. It’s a pretty bunched leaderboard, which says a lot about how tough the course is when you start leaving the beaten track.

“I’m very happy to finish with a couple of birdies after a bit of a whoopsie on the par five. I spoke to my coach Pete Cowen who told me to tighten up my backswing a bit and I felt like I controlled my ball a bit better today, so thanks Pete!”