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McDowell Leads The Way After Opening 66

Friday, 21 July 2006
Mark Robinson
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Ulsterman Graeme McDowell carded a flawless six-under-par opening round of 66 at the 2006 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, leaving himself clear of a host of big name players ahead of Friday's second round.

McDowell, who only secured his qualifiaction for Hoylake at last month's qualifying at Sunningdale, finds himself one shot clear of several players on -5, including English pair Greg Owen and Anthony Wall, popular Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and world number one Tiger Woods, who eagled the 18th.

Plenty of fancied players remain in touch, including Ernie Els (-4), Sergio Garcia (-4), Phil Mickelson (-3) and Darren Clarke (-3). The main European disappointments of the day included David Howell (+2), Luke Donald (+2) and Padriag Harrington (+3), while Colin Montgomerie will be looking for improvement tomorrow after an opening round of 73.

"That was pretty cool," said McDowell at the end of his opening round.

"I was disappointed not to birdie the 18th, but the tee box has been giving me trouble all week. I played solidly, drove the ball well and didn't make any mistakes."

Woods, who recovered admirably from a bogey on the opening hole, seemed pleased with his opening round.

"It wasn't easy as the wind kept changing," he reflected.

"But I had to stay patient, hang in there, not give shots away and keep the round going. Shooting 67 on this course certainly makes you feel good."

Woods was completing only his seventh competitive round after the death of his father Earl in May.