Day on top of the world as Lowry and McDowell struggle
Australia’s Jason Day won the individual and team titles at the ISPS Hamda World Cup of Golf. Picture © Getty Images
The world rankings say Shane Lowry regressed in 2013 but the Offaly man is convinced he made big strides with his game despite a disappointing ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf performance at Royal Melbourne.
"Please god let me par the last tomorrow" - Lowry
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Melbourne madness envelopes Manley
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Irish focussed on course management in Australia and South Africa
Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell during a practice round for The Open at Muirfield. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie
They might not get to play together at any stage but Graeme McDowell insists his partnership with Shane Lowry comes before individual honours in the $8m ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne.
McDowell refuses to comment on Rory: "It's been a long complicated year for everyone"
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McIlroy contractually obliged to miss World Cup?
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"There is only one Irish team incorporating North and South as in previous World Cups" Keith Waters
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Ireland fade to fourth as USA take Mission Hills World Cup
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Ireland in command at World Cup
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Ireland two off World Cup pace after opening 63
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End of the world for McDowell and McIlroy?
Pressure on McIlroy but McDowell a banker
Rory McIlroy faces the most pressure packed day of his career in China on Sunday. Luckily, he has Graeme McDowell to share the burden as Ireland takes a one stroke lead into the final round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
Yes, McIlroy and McDowell are on track for a wire-to-wire victory after a bogey-free eight under par 64 left them on 26 under, just one clear of Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari (61) and Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson (62), the defending champions.
Given McIlroy's amazing ascent from 50th to 10th in the world rankings over the past 11 months, it's amazing to think that he might have under-achieved.
McIlroy and McDowell survive wobble to stay three clear
In Thursday's fourball 58 they didn't have a five on their card. But Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell showed they are somewhat human after all when they carded a six and a seven in a battling foursomes 68 and still remained three clear in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The Ulstermen cruised five shots clear of the field after two birdies and an eagle on the front nine but stuttered on the way home before recovering brilliantly.