November 7th 2014, Shanghai, China: Major winner Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland continued to dominate the US$8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions by posting a flawless five-under-par 67 to take a three-shot lead over a fast-charging Ian Poulter of England on Friday.
A rampant Poulter birdied four of his last five holes to grab second place on 67, leaving Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata and Bubba Watson of the United States to share third place at the halfway stage of the Chinese showpiece.
India’s Anirban Lahiri got his campaign back on track after signing for a second round two-under-par 70 on Friday.
The five-time Asian Tour winner cut a frustrating figure after he opened with a 74 but stayed resolute and bounced back with a two-day total of even-par 144 to share 27th place with a group of nine other players.
“I feel really confident about my game and it is just a matter of continuing to play this way and making a few more putts,” said the 27-year-old.
Starting on the back-nine 10, Lahiri parred the first four holes before picking up a birdie on 14.
After turning in 35, Lahiri started to dice with danger by dropping two shots with a bogey-bogey six on the par-four first.
However, he steadied himself by returning home safely with three more birdies on the second, fourth and seventh holes at the Sheshan International Golf Club.
“I played really well all day and I felt like I could have shot four or five-under especially on my front-nine but I didn’t make any putts.
“On the first hole, it was a silly mistake as I missed a short one and made a double there. It was slipping out of hand but I managed to bring myself back and keep myself calm,” said Lahiri.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland
With his small of legion of fans clamouring for his attention far away from home, Lahiri is ready to put up another performance deserving of his status as one of Asia’s finest talents.
“It’s nice to get the support especially when you’re traveling and away from home. It has been great these last few weeks and more people are now aware of the Asian Tour players thanks to the Tour’s media team,” smiled Lahiri.
McDowell was in a class of his own where he was outstanding in the short game.
The Northern Irishman made several clutch putts for par on a day where he also marked his card with five birdies.
“The putter was fairly hot today. I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday; I missed a lot more fairways, which is a big key on this golf course. You must find fairways to have a chance out there. I got lucky a couple of times and I made some good saves,” said McDowell.
McDowell, who played a vital role in securing a thrilling draw with Team Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in March this year, survived the pressure-cooker round and is delighted to be heading into the weekend rounds in prime position after compiling a two-day total of 10-under-par 134.
‘It wasn’t my best ball-striking round but I hung in there and I’m right where I want to be going into the weekend,” said McDowell.
Meanwhile Poulter, who finished second at the WGC-HSBC Champions last year, believes the race for the year’s final World Golf Championship title is still wide open
The Englishman reached the turn in 35 but stepped up the pressure on McDowell with four birdies in his closing five holes.
“This is probably the best I’ve played all year, which is very exciting. I only missed a couple of greens. It was a little frustrating in the first 13 holes as I was missing chances, but I took four of the last five and the chances started to go in at the end.
I played with Graeme in the last round last year, and he likes this golf course and played well, and I’ve had success around here, as well. So if you’re within six shots, then you’ve got a great chance on Sunday,” said Poulter.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, will be looking for a much improved performance during the weekend after he struggled to a 74 to take tied-49th place.
