Golf: Mcdowell and Khan Share Scottish Open Lead
Third round at Loch Lomond leaves the field wide open
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Englishman Simon Khan share the lead after the third round of the Scottish Open but a formidable chasing pack is well placed to mount a challenge in the final round on Sunday.
McDowell, third in last week's European Open at the London Club, kept up his excellent form with a five-under 66 while Khan hit five birdies in a 68 to join him on 10 under par and a total of 203. Two strokes adrift were European Open champion Ross Fisher (68), order of merit leader Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) of Spain, India's Jeev Milkha Singh (69) and Australian Richard Green (70). World number three Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup points leader Lee Westwood are one shot further back. Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson also retain slim title hopes on 208 and 209 respectively.
"I am not really going to be focused hard on who is one back, two ahead, whatever," McDowell said afterwards. "I have to go and play my own game tomorrow. The last few holes are probably one of the best finishes in European golf. I really love this place, it rewards good play and it's just a great venue."
A fresh breeze and cool conditions meant scoring was difficult on the banks of Loch Lomond but it seemed to make little difference to McDowell. The 28-year-old made two birdies in a flawless outward round of 34 before charging to the top of the leaderboard at the British Open warm up event with three more birdies and an eagle coming home. The highlight of the round was a two at the 371-yard 14th where he cracked a majestic drive within eight feet of the hole before converting his eagle putt.
"I played really solid again today and kept hitting fairways and greens. There must be 10 or 12 players with a chance of winning tomorrow so it'll be nice to be in the mix,'' McDowell said.
Khan, whose solitary tour victory came at the 2004 Wales Open, claimed five birdies and two bogeys in his round. His effort was something of a surprise: the 36-year-old lies 98th spot on the order of merit, having already missed six cuts this season. "I am really pleased with the round," Khan said. "I knew the pins would be tucked away and going for the middle of the green, 20-odd feet away was a good shot a lot of the time. I am just going to go out and try to enjoy myself tomorrow.''
Two triple bogeys on the back nine proved costly for Argentina's Angel Cabrera as the overnight leader struggled to a 78.
McDowell, third in last week's European Open at the London Club, kept up his excellent form with a five-under 66 while Khan hit five birdies in a 68 to join him on 10 under par and a total of 203. Two strokes adrift were European Open champion Ross Fisher (68), order of merit leader Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) of Spain, India's Jeev Milkha Singh (69) and Australian Richard Green (70). World number three Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup points leader Lee Westwood are one shot further back. Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson also retain slim title hopes on 208 and 209 respectively.
"I am not really going to be focused hard on who is one back, two ahead, whatever," McDowell said afterwards. "I have to go and play my own game tomorrow. The last few holes are probably one of the best finishes in European golf. I really love this place, it rewards good play and it's just a great venue."
A fresh breeze and cool conditions meant scoring was difficult on the banks of Loch Lomond but it seemed to make little difference to McDowell. The 28-year-old made two birdies in a flawless outward round of 34 before charging to the top of the leaderboard at the British Open warm up event with three more birdies and an eagle coming home. The highlight of the round was a two at the 371-yard 14th where he cracked a majestic drive within eight feet of the hole before converting his eagle putt.
"I played really solid again today and kept hitting fairways and greens. There must be 10 or 12 players with a chance of winning tomorrow so it'll be nice to be in the mix,'' McDowell said.
Khan, whose solitary tour victory came at the 2004 Wales Open, claimed five birdies and two bogeys in his round. His effort was something of a surprise: the 36-year-old lies 98th spot on the order of merit, having already missed six cuts this season. "I am really pleased with the round," Khan said. "I knew the pins would be tucked away and going for the middle of the green, 20-odd feet away was a good shot a lot of the time. I am just going to go out and try to enjoy myself tomorrow.''
Two triple bogeys on the back nine proved costly for Argentina's Angel Cabrera as the overnight leader struggled to a 78.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Holding All the Cards, We Play Patience
- Jumping Jack So Flash for Emma
- Holley and Humphreys Carry on Smelting
- Quins Save Energy and Turn Scarlets Green With Envy
- Joe Show Ducks the Big Issue
- Kovalainen Can Cap Off Great Start for Mclaren
- Harbhajan Gives Aussies More Grief
- Iwelumo Miss Piles Pressure on Burley As Scotland Fail to Break Down Norway
- Bangladesh Miss Out on Series Triumph As Oram Comes Good for Kiwis
- Rivals Round on Hamilton Over Passing Maneouvres