McDowell: In the mix
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Graeme McDowell feels he is well placed after a second round of 73, but is, as yet, refusing to think about the possibility of winning the Open Championship.
McDowell finished day one with a share of the lead following a 69 and took advantage as he again got the better of the conditions on Friday at Birkdale.
Although he was four-over through 11, he steadied the ship commendably and finished his second round with six pars and a fine birdie at 16 to end up just two back of clubhouse leader Greg Norman.
The 29-year-old feels he is well-placed to challenge over the weekend but insists he will be concentrating on maintaining his form rather than entertaining the thought of a first major triumph.
"I'm really happy. I am right where I want to be. I'm in the mix, I don't expect anyone to be going crazy out there this afternoon," McDowell stated.
"My strategy is for 18 little challenges out there where par is a great score and that is not going to change at the weekend - and it is going to be tougher with stronger winds forecast.
"I probably would have settled for top 10 after two days - if you had asked me after nine holes I would have said yes.
"I'm not thinking about winning at this stage. Tomorrow night I might play myself into thinking that way but I just think it is going to be such a tough weekend that anyone within four or five shots of the lead has a chance.
"I don't think there is any change in my mindset (for the weekend) because this golf course is so challenging that you have to focus hard and try to make a par on every hole.
"It was a slow start (on Friday). Four or five days swinging a golf club in this kind of wind inevitably takes its toll and I felt my rhythm was not there in the first 10 or 11 holes.
"I managed to find some rhythm coming in, hit some good shots and picked up a birdie.
"I think I am more in control of my golf swing than I was a couple of years ago. I know where the bad shots come from and I can self-correct on the golf course. I am very comfortable in this atmosphere."
