Graeme McDowell seizes lead at Chevron World Challenge

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With consecutive birdies on the first three holes of the back nine, Graeme McDowell charged into the lead midway through today’s third round of the Chevron World Challenge.

McDowell was 9 under par after 12 holes, one shot ahead of second-round leader Y.E. Yang, Padraig Harrington and Jim Furyk, who also jumped into contention with consecutive birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th holes at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. Furyk had led after two rounds of last year’s tournament.

Lee Westwood was another shot back at seven under par on a cool, cloudy day at Sherwood, a 7,027-yard course just south of Highway 101.

McDowell was the last-minute replacement for Tiger Woods, who withdrew from the 18-player tournament -- which benefits Woods’ charity -- amid his sensational personal problems.

--Jim Peltz