Graeme McDowell ended his Majors season taking route 66 to a likely top-15 finish in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
McDowell picked off eight birdies in his round, including an amazing five in succession from the fourth hole.
It looked set to be the Ulsterman’s best finish in the season-ending Major after sharing 11th place a year ago behind Rory McIlroy at Kiawah Island.
“It’s been a funny couple of days because I’ve probably hit the golf ball better tee-to-green on Thursday and Friday than compared to the last two days,” he said.
Graeme McDowell finishes the year with his best finish in the Majors at Oak Hill. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“Saturday was a tough day shooting 73 but then while I managed a lot of birdies today, there was also some bad shots out there.
“I wouldn’t say I was in 100% of my golf ball all the time when I did get it in the fairway my medium and short iron play was as good as it’s ever been as I hit it closer to the flag.
“It’s just pleasing to finish off the week on a strong note and to finish my Major’s season off on a strong note as it’s been a flat year for me in the Majors, and in fact it’s been a disappointing year for me in the Majors.
“So that finish today gives me a little glimmer of light to take away from here into the FedEx Play Offs, so I would say I am back on track.”
McDowell’s efforts in the Majors this season include the disappointment of missing the cut in both the Masters and the US Open.
But then in between he captured a first regular PGA Tour event in finishing in front of the field to capture the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head and also lift the European Tour’s Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria.
McDowell then won the French Open a fortnight before finishing well back a share of 58th in the Open Championship.
Ahead for McDowell is not only the lucrative FedEx Cup Series but his marriage in the last week of October.
And while McDowell left Oak Hill content fellow Open Champion, Tiger Woods will now head into a six year next season without Major after posting his second poorest result in the PGA Championship.
Woods slumped to a clubhouse share of 43rd spot after failing break 70 over the four days and in an event he’s won four times.
And when asked to look back on his efforts in the Majors Woods remarked: “I was close in two of them. I was right in there and certainly had a chance to win the Masters and the British this year.
“The other two, I just didn’t hit it good enough, and that’s just the way it goes.”
Woods will now take a break from competition with his biggest challenge: “Trying to keep up with a four and six year old.”
And while McDowell and Woods prepare for the Play Offs Shane Lowry arrived home having also not broken 70 over the four days at Oak Hill and finishing T57th at seven over par.
“It was roller coaster day for me as I played good and obviously the double on 15 stopped me in my tracks,” he said.
“But to make five birdies on that golf course, set up tough, the Sunday of a Major, I could have shot under par easy enough.
“So I will take a lot out of this week when I sit back at home, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
“It’s just great to be playing in these tournaments and I am just happy that I am here.”
Lowry’s last round was a mix of five birdies, including back to back birdies at three and four, but also three bogeys and as he mentioned, a double bogey at the par three, 15th.
The reigning Portugal Masters champion has now contested three of the four Majors and with only the Masters not on his golfing CV.
“My game is very close to being very, very good and about 90 per cent of it is good and I have to work on that other 10 per cent,” he added.
“”I really feel like I can push towards another win in the next few months and that will hopefully cement my place in the top-50 in the world for the end of the year.
“I’ve now got a nice week off and I look forward to Gleneagles, I love the golf course and it’s a nice area that I like going to.”
And while Lowry spoke at length about his week Darren Clarke had nothing to say after his final round of 80 that sent him to last place at 10-over par.
Clarke birdied his second hole to go to one under par for the tournament but then completed the next 16 holes in 11-over par including taking double bogey at the third and final holes.
