While Graeme McDowell may be the only remaining Irish challenger at the Hong Kong Open, his third round 71 has left him with a lot of work to bridge the gap on leaders Lucas Bjerregaard and Justin Rose.
It was a frustrating day for the 36-year-old, and what looked like a quick start, an eagle on the tenth, was followed by a triple bogey on the 11th.
Unfortunately for McDowell, this set the tone for what was an uneven performance at Hong Kong Golf Club.
His triple bogey was followed by consecutive birdies on 13 and 14, but he was to blemish his card once again on 16. A bogey there gave him a level par back nine.
Two further birdies on the front nine was only to be undone by three bogeys to card a one over par and slip back to four-under for the tournament.
Joint leaders Bjerregaard and Rose streaked clear on moving day, posting rounds of seven-under and six-under respectively to give themselves a share of the lead on 15-under par.
Dane Lucas Bjerregaard during yesterday's second round. He holds a share of the lead on 15-under alongside England's Justin Rose. Image Credit: Kin Cheung / AP/Press Association Images
The remaining Irish contingent were condemned to missing the cut, with both Padraig Harrington and Kevin Phelan finishing on two-over par, two strokes from safety.
Phelan, who had been chasing his Tour card, opened the tournament with a promising round of 66, but a second round capitulation saw him card a 76 and miss the projected cut mark.
Peter Lawrie effectively packed his bags after an opening round 78 and followed that up with a 74 on the day two.
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