By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM

SAN FRANCISCO -- Graeme McDowell was asked Friday what kind of message he would send to USGA Executive Director Mike Davis in terms of the weekend course setup at the Olympic Club.

G-Mac's response? "Be nice to us."

McDowell, who shot a 2-over 72 on Friday that leaves him 1 over for the tournament, called some of the second-round pin placements "tricky," particularly the ones at Nos. 3, 5 and 8. He also said he looked at the pin placement at the par-4 first hole and thought, "Is it necessary to put this on the side of a slope?"

But McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, was quick to point out that everything else was fair, that Davis sets up "a great golf course" and that the Lake Course is simply a stern test of golf that offers little fun.

"There's a fine line between 68 and 78, there really is," McDowell said. "And it's just missing a fairway there and missing the green the wrong side here and just sort of not holing out well enough. I mean honestly, 72 can easily escalate into 78 in a heartbeat.

"So it's a fine line. Obviously it gives you less chances than a regular TOUR course gives you and it frustrates you quicker and in many ways. You just got to be so much more patient and respect the word par. You really got to give par a huge amount of respect out there and it's tough. It's a tough mindset to get into, but it's a mindset you have to get into."