Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and Scotland’s Russell Knox were in a share of the final-round lead in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico on Sunday before play was suspended due to darkness. The two-time victor on the PGA Tour had four birdies in his first nine holes and added a birdie at 12 and an eagle at the 13th before a 90-minute delay for lightning in the area.
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“I hit as good a five-iron as I could hit and it was nice to knock in a two-and-a-half footer to take care of this”, said the Portrush golfer, who has now guaranteed himself a place at next year’s Masters and PGA Championship.
McDowell, 36, last tasted victory in July 2014 at the Open de France and had not won on the American circuit since April 2013 at The Heritage.
PGA Tour rookie Harold Varner III, Justin Leonard, Patrick Rodgers and Freddie Jacobson were at 13 under, six shots behind.
The second-ranked South Korean star hit a 7-iron to 3 feet to set up a birdie on the par-3 16th, and made a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-5 17th.
Derek Fathauer, the 54-hole leader, birdied the last hole for a 71 to finish two shots behind.
“I think that’s why golf is the ultimate mental sport, because you have all the time in the world to ask yourself all the insane questions in the world”. That hasn’t happened in 10 years. “So when we started talking about moving, I said, ‘Let’s just take golf out of it. Where are going to be the happiest and most excited when we get on an airplane to go home?’ And we’re there”.
Knox was coming off his first win last week in Shanghai at the HSBC Champions, and was poised to make it two in a row.
The 2010 US Open victor admits the barren run – his last victory anywhere was at the French Open 16 months ago – left him questioning his ability after dropping out of the world’s top 50.
Poor year After a poor year which hadn’t featured a top-10 finish since his season opening tournament in the Dubai Desert Classic back in January, McDowell signalled his return to the winner’s enclosure with a few style.
“It gives me something to really grab on to”, said a relieved McDowell on Sky Sports 4 afterwards.
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“It’s been a rough year for all the right reasons”, he said.
