Posts tagged McDowell
Kaymer quest for No. 1 hits snag; McDowell leads in Spain
Oct 29th
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Enlarge By Richard Heathcote, Getty Images Graeme McDowell shot a 67 on Friday to take the lead at the Andalucia Masters.
Kaymer struggled to a 3-over 74 in the second round to seemingly fall out of contention for the victory he needs to pass Woods. McDowell shot a 67 and was at 7-under 135. Fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin (FSY) was two strokes back after a 68.
Niclas Fasth (FSY) of Sweden was another two shots back in third after a 66.
If Kaymer finishes outside the top two, Lee Westwood (FSY) of England will take over from Woods as No. 1 — despite not playing this weekend.
McDowell said he doesn’t think Kaymer has a chance to catch up to him.
“Martin has not had the best two days out,” McDowell said. “He is a world-class player and I fully expect him to have a good weekend, but the forecast is for the wind to get up which could make low scoring difficult.”
McDowell and Maybin played amateur golf together as teenagers, and were the only two players to break 70 in both opening rounds at the Valderrama Club, which hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997.
“I lost a bit of contact with Gareth since our amateur days because we don’t compete in too many of the same tournaments,” McDowell said. “But it is no surprise to see myself and Gareth up there on the leaderboard.
“Because Valderrama is his type of golf course and my type of golf course. You have to plot your way around it, you cannot overpower and that suits us.”
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Graeme McDowell to receive university honorary degrees
Oct 27th
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US Open champion and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell is to get honorary degrees from the University of Ulster and Queen’s University.
The Portrush golfer will receive a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree at a ceremony in the New Year.
Speaking from Valderrama on Wednesday, McDowell revealed that he will also be conferred with an honorary degree from Queen’s University.
McDowell is in Spain to compete at this week’s Andalucia Masters.
The Portrush golfer’s US Open triumph at Pebble Beach in June saw him become the first Northern Ireland man to win a major since Fred Daly’s 1947 Open win.
The US Open champion went on to clinch the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup earlier this month.
“We are delighted that Graeme has accepted an honorary doctorate,” said University of Ulster Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett.
“He is a local lad who through passion and determination has achieved excellence on the international stage.
“He has been a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland, Irish and European golf and has fulfilled the potential that many saw in him when he won the Ulster Boys Championship in 1996 and later the Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer in the United States in 2002.
“I know people in his home club of Rathmore, in the Borough of Coleraine and Graeme’s family are justifiably proud of his achievements – particularly at Pebble Beach where he became the first European winner of the US Open since Tony Jacklin’s triumph in 1970 and only the second European winner since 1925.
“As a university which is developing a strong reputation for nurturing golf talent and whose students recently enjoyed success in the European Universities Golf Championship in the Algarve, we are delighted Graeme will be joining Darren Clarke who received an honorary doctorate from us in 2002.
“The University’s golf programme also enjoys links to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews, the K Club and the Ulster branch of the Golf Union of Ireland.”
As well as being passionate about golf, Graeme McDowell is equally passionate about two charities – the Multiple Sclerosis Society Northern Ireland and the international humanitarian charity GOAL.
Golf Betting – McDowell Brings Steam to Grand Slam Event
Oct 19th
Golf betting fans know that it’s been a great year for Graeme McDowell, who brings some steam into the Grand Slam of Golf this week after a winning effort in singles at the Ryder Cup and, of course, his previous victory at the U.S. Open.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which ideally brings together the winners of the four majors (though not this year) takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda. In the golf betting odds, McDowell is priced at +275 to win. The favorite is PGA champion Martin Kaymer, at +165.
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PGA Grand Slam of Golf
October 19-20
Port Royal Golf Course
Southampton, Bermuda
TV Schedule
(All times Eastern)
Tuesday – TNT: 4-7 PM
Thursday – TNT: 5-9 PM
As it turns out, Graeme McDowell is one of only two major championship winners who are entered into the Grand Slam, but I don’t think that would in any way diminish the effect of a victory in this unique tournament. McDowell has had quite a year, first winning the U.S. Open and then competing with the victorious European team at the Ryder Cup and being there on the final hole for the win.
He is priced rather competitively at +275 in the golf betting odds for the event that begins on Tuesday.
McDowell, the native of Northern Ireland who went to college in the States (Alabama-Birmingham) has only that U.S. Open to his credit as far as wins on the PGA Tour are concerned. He has also won six times on the European Tour.
Golf Betting Odds
To Win Grand Slam of Golf
- Martin Kaymer +165
- Ernie Els +250
- GRAEME MCDOWELL +275
- David Toms +400
When McDowell won the U.S. Open, it was a big deal, to say the least. It made him the first player from the United Kingdom to win a major since Paul Lawrie did it at the British Open back in 1999. It certainly changed his golf world for him, vaulting him into the top 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings and raising expectations at the same time.
That’s because it came at a point when Lee Westwood and Justin Rose, both from the UK, had won the previous two tournaments, and a lot of talk about more British/Irish influence in the winner’s circle was talked about. Golf bettors certainly look at him differently, as he is given almost the same chance to win this Grand Slam event as Ernie Els, who has been one of the world’s top players for years.
Ryder Cup golf bettors know that he has right there at the end during the singles competition on the last day. His was the last singles match, as he was pitted against Hunter Mahan, and there was quite obviously a lot of pressure as the Americans had fought back form a three-point deficit going into the final day.
McDowell’s birdie on the 16th of that match, achieved with a 15-foot putt, is something that will live in Ryder Cup lore, at least for the Europeans (who are more obsessed with the Ryder Cup than we are over here). Mahan conceded the 17th hole and the match to McDowell and Europe, and so it can be said that he brings momentum into this Grand Slam.
Golf-McDowell on top of the world after clinching Cup for Europe
Oct 4th
Graeme McDowell was on top of the world after winning a nail-biting singles with Hunter Mahan to earn the point that clinched the 38th Ryder Cup for Europe on Monday
With the team score tied at 13-1/2 – 13-1/2 and the final match on the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor, all the pressure was on the Northern Irishman as he went into the last three holes one up on American Mahan.
McDowell never wilted, showing the nerves of steel he displayed to win the U.S. Open in June to sink a knee-trembling, downhill putt from 12 feet at the 16th before a conceded par at the next clinched victory and sparked scenes of wild jubilation.
“I just cannot describe the feeling of this golf tournament,” he said as the other European players drenched him in champagne.
“Trying to win it for your 11 other team mates, the caddies, the fans here have been just unbelievable, Monty (captain Colin Montgomerie) too — it’s a special feeling.
“There is nothing quite like it. I was really nervous there, wow. It is a different feeling. There is just so much pressure,” added the 31-year-old who also won the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in June.
EUROPEAN BACKBONE
McDowell was one of the backbones of the European effort throughout the event, winning two and a half points out of four after also partnering fellow countryman Rory McIlroy to one victory and one half.
The U.S. Open champion said the putt he holed at the 16th was the stuff of dreams.
“That was massive,” he said. “It was a fast putt but I just had to get it going.
“Thankfully it caught the edge and fell in. Wow, that was the best putt of my life.”
McDowell could not speak highly enough of the spectators who turned up over the four days of the rain-affected contest in south Wales to spur on the European team.
“These fans are amazing to get out here every morning, walking around in the mud,” he said.
“I love them a lot. We needed them big time.”
McDowell also said Montgomerie had been a shining light for the Europeans.
“He has been amazing too,” he said. “For the last two years he has been right up for this.
“There is nothing quite like Colin Montgomerie — he IS the Ryder Cup and to be able to do that for him today was really special,” added McDowell of the Scot who never lost in eight singles matches as a player.
McDowell’s in Ryder groove as 68 puts him one off Austria lead
Sep 18th
IRISHMAN Graeme McDowell continued his fine form at the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg with a sparkling 68 to sit one shot off the lead after the second round yesterday.
The Ulsterman, returning to action for the first time since last month’s US PGA Championship, conjured up five birdies to move to seven-under (137), three shots clear of European Ryder Cup team-mate Miguel Angel Jimenez, who also went round in 68.
Britain’s John Parry hit a five-under par 67, carding five birdies without dropping a shot, to hold the midway lead.
“It’s very much the old cliche of a game of two halves, this golf course,” said world number 14 McDowell.
“This front nine’s quite tricky and you’ve got to drive the ball unbelievably well to have any chance of making birdies,” added the Irishman, who lies second on the European Tour money list behind another Ryder Cup team-mate, Martin Kaymer of Germany.
McDowell had held the clubhouse lead on seven under alongside Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara, only for world number 317 Parry to overtake them with the joint-best round of the day.
Flawless
The 23-year-old Challenge Tour graduate had a flawless round with five birdies to take top spot by one shot, but he admitted there was plenty of golf left to be played.
“It’s a bit early to be looking at leaderboards — we’re only in the second round,” said Parry, a former Walker Cup team-mate of Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.
“It is a lead, though, so I’m happy going into the weekend in front.
“I’d always prefer to be in the lead than not.”
A good finish at the Diamond Country Club should be enough to secure Parry’s card for next season — something Lara is looking to achieve as well.
“I still feel young in myself, but there are many young Spanish guys coming up now and already have their cards,” said the 33-year-old, who could not match his opening 66 as he signed for a 71.
“I need to fight this year and that’s what I’m doing.”
McDowell is playing his last tournament before the Ryder Cup match against the USA at Celtic Manor in Wales, which takes place over the weekend of October 1-3.
Golf-McDowell kicks into gear at Austrian Open after month off
Sep 16th
Golf-McDowell kicks into gear at Austrian Open after month off
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LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) – European Ryder Cup player Graeme McDowell overcame a slow start to shoot a three-under 69 while team mate Miguel Angel Jimenez carded a 72 in the first round of the Austrian Open on Thursday.
South African George Coetzee returned a 65 to open a one-shot lead over Australia’s Terry Pilkadaris and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara.
McDowell, playing his first tournament since the U.S. PGA Championship a month ago, showed signs of rustiness by bogeying holes two and three but the U.S. Open champion rallied with five back-nine birdies.
“The third hole could have been a lot worse as I hit an awful tee shot into the middle of a bush and made a great five,” the Briton told the European Tour’s website (www.europeantour.com).
“I hung tough the first eight holes. I was two over but easily could have been three, four, five over the way I played.”
Spaniard Jimenez, who has already won three times this season, began brightly with birdies at one and three but came unstuck with a double-bogey six at the 17th.
Jimenez and McDowell are preparing for the Ryder Cup match against the U.S. holders at Celtic Manor in Wales from Oct. 1-3.
(Writing by Tom Pilcher, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
GOLF: McDowell keen on ‘home ‘ major
Jul 29th
“I’ve always dreamed of playing a professional event at Portush or a County Down or something like that. I think it would be great,” said the US Open champion ahead of Thursday’s 3 Irish Open in Killarney.
“Obviously there are a lot of different factors involved and sponsors are obviously a huge part of that.
“I think there are plenty of golf courses in the north that would make a phenomenal Irish Open venue.
“Portush have changed the golf course. They have lengthened it to modern standards. They want tournament golf back, you know, and the British Open, is that a pipedream, who knows?
“Would getting the Irish Open there be a good stepping stone to perhaps getting the British Open? Perhaps. It would be great to see it going up there.”
At last week’s Lough Erne Challenge, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry all agreed that Northern Ireland was crying out for a tour event.
However, with a significant European Tour event costing in the region of 5 million Euros to stage it’s unlikely to happen in the short term.
