McDowell and Garcia light up European Open

Fri, Jul 4 07:52 PM

By Tony Jimenez

ASH, England (Reuters) - Playing partners Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia mixed wisecracks with moments of golfing wizardry to light up the second round of the European Open on Friday.

The 28-year-old McDowell followed his opening 65 with a five-under-par 67 to lead the way on 12-under 132, three ahead of Garcia who crammed seven birdies and an eagle in a 64.

"There was a bit of banter going on," McDowell told reporters at the London Club. "We had a really good time.

"I'm not sure any of the jokes are printable. Our two caddies are pretty much best friends too and the stories were flying round."

Fellow Briton Ross Fisher, who broke the course record with a nine-under 63 on Thursday, was a late starter at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage layout.

A further two strokes adrift on seven under were Ireland's Paul McGinley (68), David Frost of South Africa (72) and Swede Michael Jonzon (68).

On a calm, sunny day, McDowell began at the 10th and made a fast start with three birdies in the first six holes.

The Northern Irishman, winner of the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea earlier this season, dropped his only stroke of the day at the short 17th before notching three more birdies coming home.

MCDOWELL PRAISE

"It is always difficult to follow up a good day at the office with another one," said McDowell. "The fact the wind was not blowing this morning meant we knew low scores had to be shot and my goal was to keep my foot on the pedal.

"There are probably low numbers to be had this weekend and the scoring at the end of the week is going to be up there potentially at around 20-under so you've got to keep going."

McDowell was full of praise for the ball-striking skills of his partner.

"I have not played much golf with Sergio," he said. "He is one of the few top players in the world I've not had a chance to play with much.

"It was really, really good to play with him the last couple of days. He is a nice guy and has such a relaxed attitude on the course it can only inspire you to play well."

World number eight Garcia may have been relaxed on the course but later he spoke of his disappointment with his display on three successive holes.

"I am not happy with the way I played four, five and six," said the 28-year-old. "I had a really good round going and my second shot on four from the middle of the fairway with a nine-iron became plugged in a bunker and stopped my momentum."

That was where Garcia dropped his only shot before he fought back by rattling in a nine-foot eagle putt at the long eighth and birdying the ninth from 18 feet.

"Fortunately for me I had a great finish so that made up a little bit," said the winner of the prestigious Players Championship in Florida in May.

"The good thing is I got myself back in the tournament."

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