McDowell and Yang

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell moved into a share of the lead at the Chevron World Challenge after a third round 66.

McDowell was only called into the 18-player field at Sherwood Country Club on Monday when Tiger Woods withdrew from the event the American hosts.

The Northern Irishman is tied for the 54-hole lead with USPGA champion Y E Yang of Korea.

McDowell and Yang, who both flew in from China having played in last weekend’s World Cup at Mission Hills, are one shot clear at 10 under par, the Korean – leader at halfway by two – battling to a 71 on Saturday.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and European number one Lee Westwood of England are on nine under following respective rounds of 70 and 69, with American Jim Furyk (67) and England’s Ian Poulter 71) a further shot back on eight under.

American duo Sean O’Hair (71) and Kenny Perry (72) made it seven players within three shots of the lead, finishing the day on seven under.

McDowell’s round contained an eagle, seven birdies, one bogey and one double bogey as the Northern Irishman remained the only player in the 18-man field to improve on his score in every round.

“It was a funny one. I turned at one under par and was just cruising, nothing really happening and then I birdied 10, 11, 12 yesterday and did the same today,” McDowell said.

“Then I hit a really good three-wood to 13 and made the putt for eagle and away we go.

“It was a fun day, I’ve been feeling really good about my game coming into this week and it was nice to continue playing well.”

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 08:37 and is filed under More Sports, Sports NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.