McDowell falls further behind in Dubai

Graeme’s McDowell’s chances of winning the European Order of Merit title have all but evaporated after he struggled for a second consecutive day at the Dubai World Championship.

G-Mac shot a 73 on Day Two in Dubai, which leaves him on +1 overall, ten shots behind joint leaders Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, who shot a course record 64, and eight shots adrift of Martin Kaymer, the current ‘Race to Dubai’ leader, who is in a tie for fourth after a second round 70.

The Portrush native blamed impatience and mental fatigue for his performance so far, but has refused to rule himself out of the running with two rounds left to play.

"I was just very quick to lose patience with myself," said McDowell, who after climbing from 25th to sixth spot with three birdies in the first seven holes bogeyed four of the next seven.

"I don't think I have a huge amount in the tank and I'm finding it tough to scramble.

"There are enough good shots in there to give myself a chance, but I'm getting frustrated very quickly.

"Ken (his caddie Ken Comboy) said he had never seen me like that and maybe this is one step too far." This is his fifth week in a row.

"I had three three-putts yesterday and from the middle of the eighth fairway with an eight-iron I missed the green and then did the same on the ninth.

"Just simple, stupid mistakes - the sign of a man whose head is not very sharp.

"But I'm going to give it 100% - everything I have left - and it's not over. To have two 65s now is not out of the question."

World number one Lee Westwood is in third place on -8 after a 67, while Irish participants, Darren Clarke (-2), Rory McIlroy, Peter Lawrie (both -1), Padraig Harrington (par) and Damien McGrane (+8) are well down the field.