Tiger Woods’ fill-in McDowell shines at Tiger’s tournament

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Graeme McDowell, the last-minute replacement for Tiger Woods in Woods’ own charity tournament, made the most of the opportunity today by shooting a six-under-par 66 to share the lead of the Chevron World Challenge with Y.E. Yang after three rounds.

Both players finished with 54-hole totals of 206, or 10 under par, at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. McDowell, 30, had sole possession of the lead until he made double bogey at the par-five 16th hole.

Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood were one shot behind the leaders at nine under, and Ian Poulter and Jim Furyk were another stroke back at eight under.

A Northern Ireland native who was a golf star at the University of Alabama Birmingham, McDowell has yet to win on the PGA Tour but nonetheless was high enough in this year’s world golf rankings to be tapped for the tournament.

Furyk -- who charged into contention with a five-under 67 that included four birdies on the back nine -- had led last year’s tournament after two rounds.

Woods, a four-time winner of the tournament, withdrew before the event started in light of his recent personal problems that sparked a media sensation.’I feel very fortunate to be here’ in Woods’ place, McDowell said, adding that ‘I’ve been feeling really good about my game coming into this week.’

-- Jim Peltz