McDowell makes bright start on dismal day

Ireland's Graeme McDowell led the chasing pack on three under par at the second round of the Diageo Championship began at Gleneagles today.

More rain, but no monsoon - that was what greeted the players when the second round of the Diageo Championship began at Gleneagles today.

The 75 golfers back in action during the morning yesterday had to brave a tropical-style downpour on the opening day of the event.

Overnight leaders Nick O’Hern and Miles Tunnicliff, meanwhile, both had the luxury of a lie-in, as did third-placed pair Paul McGinley and Santiago Luna.

Ireland's Graeme McDowell led the chasing pack on three under par – two shots off the pace – when he set off again in the company of Scots Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie.

McDowell, winner of the Italian Open last month when that spilled into an extra day, lost ground when he bogeyed the 10th and 13th after resuming on the back nine, but a birdie at the long 12th limited the damage.

Montgomerie’s five pars kept him at one under in what he saw as “a golden opportunity” to win his 31st European tour title – a hugely important one in his eyes following the breakdown of his marriage.

Lawrie was the only one of the trio, indeed the entire field, taking part in next week’s United States Open, but he was two over par and in danger of missing the halfway cut.