Thousand Oaks, Calif. • Graeme McDowell has done a lot right this year, except for win. He now has one last chance to fix that.
Back on the course that has provided two key moments in his career, McDowell opened with three straight birdies Friday and finished strong for a 6-under 66, giving him a three-shot lead going into the weekend at the World Challenge.
Bo Van Pelt got up-and-down from the drop zone for bogey on the final hole that gave him a 68, leaving him tied for second with Keegan Bradley and Jim Furyk, who each had a 69. Tournament host and defending champion Tiger Woods was tied for the lead on the back nine until he stalled and settled for a 69. He was four shots behind.
Sunshine Tour
Scotland's Paul Lawrie shot a 3-under 69 in the Nedbank Golf Challenge to take a one-stroke lead over Germany's Martin Kaymer in the 12-man event in Sun City, South Africa.