Kaymer, McDowell Favourite as Match Play Moves to Round Three

After dominating in his first match, Martin Kaymer needed 20 holes to dispose of Englishman Justin Rose in a round where Kaymer missed two putts to win the match at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.

Kaymer never trailed in his match which is obviously a positive but his inability to close out Rose is troubling as he heads to round three at (13-2).  The German made three birdies and an eagle in what was essentially a round of missed putts.

His road to the title doesn’t get any easier today as he faces Ryder Cup foe Hunter Mahan who has had impressive wins over Robert Karlsson and Sean O’Hair in first two matches.

Joining Kaymer at (13-2) is Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell.  McDowell has had little trouble in his first two matches winning 4 and 3 over Heath Slocum in round one and then topped Ross Fisher 2 up.

He hasn’t trailed past the first hole in either of his first two matches and looks as good as ever as he faces YE Yang in round three.

Behind the favourite duo is former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy rolled through Padraig Harrington in round one and then nipped Tiger killer Thomas Bjorn 1 up in round two.

Nick Watney has been very impressive thus far and sits just behind Ogilvy at (9-1).  He destroyed Anthony Kim 5 and 4 and then eliminated world number one Lee Westwood.

Watney has lost just five holes through two rounds so he’s come to play.

It is almost impossible to remember how tragic a place this world is when one is playing golf    - Robert Lynd