McDowell in the hunt after mixed day

Despite some early misadventure, Graeme McDowell is already delighted in a decision to forego practice rounds at Augusta in favour of contesting the Shell Houston Open.

McDowell doubled his third hole and then his 17th, on both occasions finding water, but played well enough in between to be pleased to be competing. His two under par 70 put him inside the top 30 shortly before a thunderstorm halted play.

McDowell had found a divot with his drive at his third hole on the Redstone course. But in contrast to his antics at the final hole of this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McDowell thinned his second into a camera tower, and with his ball ricocheting into a water hazard.