Graeme McDowell was pleasantly surprised to be in contention in Dubai Desert Classic this week, despite it being his first tournament after a long break from the game.
The Northern Irishman last teed up at Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the second week of December, before showing up in Dubai.
– Magic Rory McIlroy seizes Dubai Desert Classic lead with late flourish
– Joy of Golf: The golfers who add colour to the pressing issues
A bogey on the par-4 sixth hole – considered by many as one of the toughest on the golf course – was his only blemish as he made eight birdies in a seven-under par 65.
McDowell, who finished the day tied for third place at 12-under, said: “Despite the fact that it is important to me every week when I tee it up that I am ready, my expectation levels were in check this week.
“They were low‑ish, because after six weeks off, you expect a little bit of rust on there and you don’t expect to be 100 per cent sharp.
“The first eight holes on Friday were hugely important to me because I didn’t play well and I hung in there really well, scored well, and eventually when the swing did bed in and I got the old feel back, I started to make some birdies. The last 28 holes have been pretty solid.”
But McDowell was not getting ahead of himself, saying a lot of good work needed to be done today and tomorrow if he wants to be in contention to win his first ever Dubai Desert Classic title.
“At this point, we’ve earned nothing,” said McDowell. “I just have to keep the pedal down. We all know there’s going to be low scoring and you’ve got to just try and stay patient and stay with it.
Another player starting his year in Dubai is Lee Westwood, and the Englishman was one shot behind McDowell following his second successive bogey-free round, this time a 68.
“I am bogey‑free so far, so I’m playing solidly,” said Westwood, who won the Thai Championship in his last start of 2014. “My short game’s pretty sharp when I needed it to be, and I’m pleased with the way I played the first couple of days. It’s a good way to start the year.”