McDowell finds his form at Hoylake

It took Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell until April 21 to make his first halfway cut of this year, but if that was the agony today was the ecstasy as the 26-year-old set the pace in the 135th Open Championshp at Hoylake.

While many of the biggest names in golf were involved in a battle to remain somewhere near centre stage McDowell, who came through a play-off to earn a place in the event, stepped into the limelight with a six-under-par 66.