• PowerPlay Golf

McDowell and Poulter upstaged at Celtic Manor

ESPN staff
May 30, 2011
Caroline Hedwall birdied her last three holes to claim victory © Getty Images
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Graeme McDowell failed to replicate his Ryder Cup heroics as he endured a disappointing return to Celtic Manor in the inaugural PowerPlay Golf event.

Ryder Cup stars McDowell and Ian Poulter were upstaged by Caroline Hedwall who clinched victory at the two-flag 'risk and reward' event.

Hedwall finished with three PowerPlay birdies for 6 points each to snatch the victory with 32 Stableford points ahead of Helen Alfredsson. Paula Creamer and Poulter were tied for third on 27 points.

The victory caps a memorable weekend for Hedwall, who claimed her first European Tour victory at the Allianz Slovak Ladies Open on Sunday.

Returning to the site of their Ryder Cup victory in October, Poulter and McDowell were hoping to use their experience of the course to their advantage. McDowell defends his Wales Open title on the same course this week, but it was a disappointing return to Wales for the US Open champion who finished joint last, level with John Daly on 15 points.

"That was a lot of fun. I was in the middle of the pack with three to play but knew I still had a chance with PowerPlays in reserve," Hedwall said. "I was very nervous on the first tee but playing with Ian Poulter and Helen Alfredsson was a great experience."

The brainchild of former British amateur champion Peter McEvoy, PowerPlay golf is designed to emulate the speed and success of cricket's Twenty20 competition. Played over nine holes using the Stableford system, there are two pins on each green, and a player must aim for the harder black flag on three of their opening eight holes, with double points on offer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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