McDowell slips back after disappointing 73

First round leader Graeme McDowell could only manage a one-over-par 73 in the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans today, slipping to joint 11th.

The Irishman took the first-round lead by holing his second shot to the ninth, his last, for an eagle two, but on the resumption missed the green at the first and bogeyed.

He did have birdies at the seventh and 15th, but dropped further shots at the 14th and 18th, where his approach found rough and he missed from six feet.

Joe Durant fired an eight-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead.

Durant is at 12-under 132 while Brett Wetterich, playing in the last group of the second round, shot a 65 to move into second.

Three golfers, including Louisiana native David Toms, are at eight under.

Durant shot a pair of 32s, converting four birdies on each side in the bogey-free round.

His day began with a 10-foot birdie and he made three in a row on holes five through seven, including nearly holing out on the fifth hole from 169 yards.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson had to be content with a 71, going in the water with his third shot to the long 15th and running up a double-bogey seven.

Mickelson, seeking a third successive win, now stands five under, as does Justin Rose, while Pádraig Harrington, who played with the American star, improved to 21st place on six under with a 68.