Putting challenge for McDowell and Murphy

Angel Cabrera had problems adjusting to the greens in Cordoba just a week after the Masters. Pic via www.pgatourla.comA hot putter is a match for anyone but Graeme McDowell and Mark Murphy have their work cut out on the greens as they compete 4,000 miles apart today.

McDowell’s level par 71 at Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head left him six strokes adrift of England’s Brian Davis after the opening round of the PGA Tour’s $5.8m RBC Heritage.

The Ulsterman had little luck on the greens in his first event since missing the cut in the Masters and it was a similar tale for Kerryman Murphy, who shot a four over 76 on his debut on the PGA Tour Latinoámerica, finishing the opening round of the Abierto OSDE del Centro eight strokes behind Rafael Gomez at Córdoba Golf Club in Villa Allende.

“The greens are so hard and slopey, it’s really hard to make putts,” Murphy said.

Gómez, a 45-year old journeyman, shot a three under 68 to lead by a shot from Venezuela’s Denis Meneghini and a quartet of Argentinians that includes 58-year old veteran Eduardo Romero while Masters runner up Angel Cabrera was four behind after a over over 72. Scores