McDowell comes back from the brink

Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell were in joint third place entering today’s third round of the Players Championship – golf’s richest event – at Sawgrass.

But while it was business as usual for Donald, who could go to world number one with a win, McDowell revealed just how bleak things got for him the last two months.

Northern Ireland’s US Open champion came to Florida on the back of three missed cuts in four events, a sequence that started with an 80 at Bay Hill in March.

“You have crazy thoughts,” he said. “Will I ever win again? Will I ever be in contention again? Am I done? Am I finished?

“I don’t think I gave that thought any seriousness, but it flashes through your mind. I think everything flashes through. I sacked everyone, re-hired them, probably sacked them again.

“It’s just the craziness of this sport, you never really know what’s around the corner.

“That’s why we love this game, it’s why we hate it and it’s why it keeps us coming back for more.”

A weekend with coach Pete Cowen has put him back on track and so far he has posted rounds of 67 and 69 to be eight under par and just two behind American David Toms.

Donald moved alongside him with a 67 late in the day and has yet to record a bogey in the tournament.

“It’s very satisfying,” said the World Match Play champion, who has to win to move ahead of the absent Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer on the rankings.

“Hopefully I’m stepping up and getting better. I obviously gained a lot of confidence from my win and I feel good about my game.

“My short game’s been good for a couple of years, but now I’m starting to hit more fairways, more greens and give myself more opportunities.”

Toms, winner of the US PGA title a decade ago, leads by one from first round pacesetter Nick Watney, while alongside Donald and McDowell are Steve Stricker and last week’s winner Lucas Glover.

Londoner Brian Davis is only two further back and Justin Rose well in the hunt too at five under, but Ian Poulter is now eight back following a 72.

Alongside him are Scot Martin Laird and Phil Mickelson, who would also go to number one by claiming the title.

Mickelson climbed to six under with a sparkling back nine of 31 which featured an eagle putt of almost 40 feet at the 16th, but came home in 40 – only two better than an injured Tiger Woods managed before quitting on the opening day.

Paul Casey, Ross Fisher and Padraig Harrington missed the cut.