• Wales Open, Round Three

G-Mac's luck runs out at Celtic Manor with ugly 81

Graeme McDowell's 81 featured a quadruple-bogey © PA Photos

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Graeme McDowell endured a nightmare day on Saturday at the Wales Open, carding a ten-over 81 that crushes his hopes of defending the title.

The world No. 5 began the day one shot off overnight leader Alexander Noren, and finished it way down in a tie for 33rd place at three-over following a chastening 18 holes.

Although the conditions were significantly trickier than they were across the first two days, with the wind howling across the Celtic Manor course, the conditions alone did not prompt McDowell's collapse. His swing deserted him entirely, which is of particular concern as there are less than two weeks before the US Open starts at Congressional.

On a course that carries so many fond memories for McDowell, he got off to a wretched start with a double-bogey at the first - and things only got worse as the day wore on. He picked up two more double-bogeys on the front nine - as well as two bogeys - before threatening a recovery with birdies at the two holes before the turn.

But, at the par-four 12th hole, he hit a low point with a quadruple-bogey. His fourth shot, an attempted uphill chip onto the green, ended up rolling behind where he was initially standing - and then he three-putted the green.

Thankfully he managed to stop the bleeding after that, picking up five pars between 13 and 17 and then closing with a birdie that prompted a disbelieving look to the heavens.

McDowell's playing partner Noren managed to keep his head amid the disarray, and the Swede is still one shot ahead of the field at eight-under after a 71. Anders Hansen and Peter Hanson are tied for second at seven-under, while Jamie Donaldson is fourth at six-under.

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