Compiled by PHILIP REID
Added incentives drive Lawrie on
PETER LAWRIE made what he called “a stupid mistake” by duffing an eight-iron in running up a double-bogey six from nowhere on the 16th hole yesterday, but a second round 70 for 141 still kept the Dubliner on course to achieve a number of targets.
“At the start of the week, my goal was to finish top-10 and that is still my goal over the weekend” said Lawrie, who pointed out one very simple reason to stay focused on the job at hand: “Just look at the prize fund, and just think about it every time you hit a shot.” Lawrie, who entered the week in 43rd position in the Order of Merit, is also aware that there are other incentives apart from the financial. If he can work his way into the top-30 on the money list, he will earn an automatic invitation to next year’s British Open at St Andrews.
McDowell not sharp on Gillette
IN SOCCER terms, Graeme McDowell’s first allegiance would be for the Northern Ireland team. But the Ulsterman, who shot a much improved round of 70 yesterday, was rooting for the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup qualifier with France and has decided to do something about it after Thierry Henry’s handball shenanigans.
“It was outrageous, what happened. I’m going to take a moral stance and never use Gillette razors again,” said McDowell, a reference to the footballer’s role in the clean-cut television commercial where he lines up alongside Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
Maybin and Wood in 'rookie' chase
GARETH MAYBIN has some ground to make up on Chris Wood in any attempt to sneak past the Englishman for ‘rookie of the year’ honours, but the Belfastman continued to impress yesterday with a second round 69 for 140, which moved him into tied-15th. Wood, incidentally, recorded a second round 78 to slip down to tied-39th.
“The season’s gone good. This is my rookie year in Europe but ever since I turned pro I’ve been playing good (on the Hooters Tour in the USA and the Challenge Tour last year).”
So, what did he need to happen over the weekend to contend? “I just need a few putts to drop.”
