THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Graeme McDowell has done a lot right this year, except for win. He now has one last chance to fix that.
Back on the course that has provided two key moments in his career, McDowell opened with three straight birdies Friday and finished strong for a 6-under 66, giving him a three-shot lead going into the weekend at the World Challenge.
“A good day’s work,” said McDowell, whose day was not over until he was escorted away for a drug test.
Bo Van Pelt got up-and-down from the drop zone for bogey on the final hole that gave him a 68, leaving him tied for second with Keegan Bradley and Jim Furyk, who each had a 69. Tournament host and defending champion Tiger Woods was tied for the lead on the back nine until he stalled and settled for a 69. He was four shots behind.
This is the final destination of a whirlwind trip for McDowell, who spent two weeks in China, a short holiday in Dubai, a tournament in Australia, back to Dubai and then across eight time zones to California.
It’s also been somewhat of a whirlwind year, filled with opportunity, but no trophies.
He played in the final group in back-to-back majors, the U.S. Open and British Open, without winning. He was on the winning Ryder Cup team again, only he concedes his game wasn’t there, and he earned only one point.
McDowell always feels relaxed at Sherwood Country Club, with an 18-man field and no cut and the finish line clearly in his sights. McDowell was at 9-under 135.
Lawrie leads
at Nedbank Golf Challenge
SUN CITY, South Africa — Scotland’s Paul Lawrie shot a 3-under 69 in the Nedbank Golf Challenge to take a one-stroke lead over Germany’s Martin Kaymer in the 12-man event.
Lawrie had a 4-under 140 total at Gary Player Country Club. Kaymer, Lawrie’s Ryder Cup teammate, shot 69.
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen (72) and Charl Schwartzel (71) were three strokes back along with Italy’s Francesco Molinari (71) and American Bill Haas (73).
England’s Lee Westwood, the two-time defending champion, was even par after a 73.
Kim stays ahead
at PGA Tour qualifying
LA QUINTA, Calif. — South Korea’s Meen Whee Kim shot a 5-under 67 on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course to maintain a one-stroke lead after the third round of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament.
The 20-year-old Kim had an 18-under 131 total in the six-round event. The final top 25 and ties will receive 2013 PGA Tour cards and the next 50 and ties will earn Web.com Tour cards.
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson was second after a 65. The 11-time European Tour winner also played the Nicklaus course.
Jutanugarn running
away at LPGA qualifying
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn shot a 3-under 69 to open a six-stroke lead after the third round of the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.
The 18-year-old Jutanugarn had a 13-under total at LPGA International. The final top 20 in the five-round event will earn full tour status.
Ayako Uehara was second, also after a 69.
