McDowell second in China

Graeme McDowell settled for second place in the Volvo China Open and roared: I'm back on track at last.

The Portrush powerhouse, 27, finished five shots behind Austria's Markus Brier in his best finish since he won the Italian Open three years ago.

And while he was frustrated to miss a hatful of putts in a bogey free 69, the Ulsterman can't wait to get going again in this week's BMW Asian Open.

McDowell said: "It was frustrating week in some ways but hit the ball progressively better as the week went on.

"I would have liked to have put Markus under a bit of pressure but I didn't quite hit it close enough and kept leaving myself 15 to 20 foot putts instead of ones of 10 feet.

"I just couldn't get it going in the right direction. I played plenty well to have done the business this week but fair play to Markus."

Certain to move up from 139th in the world, McDowell was happy to come off a five-week break and share second spot with Aussie Scott Hend and South African Andrew McLardy.

While he birdied the second, he had to wait until he two-putted the par five 18th to pick up another shot after a frustrating day on the greens.

That was simply not good enough to catch Brier who birdied two of his first three holes and then cruised to a four under par 67 that left him on 10 under.

McDowell groaned: "I missed a 10 footer on the fifth, which I though I had made, and then three-putted the eighth, which was a killer.

"It was a frustrating week in some ways but I am doing so many good things and I am very happy with my game.

"I can't be too disappointed. To have five weeks off and come straight back and post a good finish I am pretty pleased.

"I am looking forward to next week. Bit of patience and let the results come.”

Brier earned €249,124 for his first win outside Austria as McDowell pocketed €111,464 to leap to 36th in the money list.

But there was disappointment for Ireland's Damien McGrane (74), Peter Lawrie (77) and Gary Murphy (74) as they slipped back to tied 39th on six over.