Golf

Graeme McDowell makes fine start with 67 at Sea Island

Portrush golfer continues fine form after win in Mexico last Monday

Graeme McDowell carded a three-under 67 in his opening round at the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia. Photograph: Nigel French/PA Wire
Graeme McDowell carded a three-under 67 in his opening round at the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia. Photograph: Nigel French/PA Wire
Thu Nov 19 2015 - 20:52

Graeme McDowell made a fine start at The RSM Classic at Sea Island in Georgia on Thursday.

Fresh from his playoff victory at the OHLClassic in Mexico last Monday, McDowell carded a three-under 67 on the Seaside Course, one of two layouts being used over the opening two rounds of the €5.3 million event.

McDowell started where he left off at Mayakoba, rolling in birdies putts from eight and five feet to go to two under early in his round.

He followed that with four straight pars before pitching to three feet at the par-five seventh to make his third birdie of the day.

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McDowell’s round hit a speed bump around the turn, with back to back bogeys dropping him back to one under par.

His putter had been superb in sealing his third PGA Tour victory in Mexico, but it went cold when he failed with par putts from 19 feet and 11 feet on the ninth and 10th.

McDowell steadied the ship with a run of four pars before making a birdie on the par-five 15th after he made the green in two.

Further chances presented themselves on the closing holes, but McDowell’s putter let him down, pushing a birdie chance to the right after a stunning iron to five feet on the par-three 17th.

He would leave the course on a high note though, rattling home a final birdie from all of 25 feet on the 18th.

McDowell will play the Plantation Course in his second round, the par-five 72 layout offering more scoring chances, with four par-fives.

American Kevin Kisner took the clubhouse lead in the tournament after he carded an eagle and five birdies on the Plantation Course to make it to seven under, one shot clear of the field.

A total of eight players made it to six under, with American duo Jeff Overton and Tom Hoge joined by Canada’s David Hearn in making 64s on the Seaside Course.

The American quarter of Jim Herman, Kyle Stanley Kevin Chappell and Scott Stallings were joined by South Korea’s Si Woo Kim in carding rounds of 66 at the Plantation Course.

American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love is the host of the event and he carded a level-par 70 on the Seaside Course. Love was playing alongside his son Dru, the amateur player also carding a 70.