McDowell best as Irish limping along

Graeme McDowell will not be downbeat after his opening-round 73 at the Masters, remaining positive that he is by no means out of the hunt for a much-coveted green jacket at Augusta National.

On a disappointing day for Irish scoring, McDowell had a solid round undone by a bogey at the sixth, a four-putt on the par-three 12th for double bogey and closing bogey-bogey for his one-over round.

“No panic button,” said McDowell, who had opened his 2012 Masters with a 75 and progressed steadily over four rounds to finish tied for 12th.