The memories will come flooding back for Graeme McDowell when later next month he heads back to Pinehurst No. 2 and venue in June for the U.S. Open.

McDowell is participating in a charity fund raiser on the North Carolina course where eight years ago he made the cut for a first time in a Major Championship.

The Portrush golfer had missed the halfway in the opening three Majors of his career before ending four shots from last position and a massive 21 strokes behind New Zealand’s Michael Campbell.

“I’m going to nip into Pinehurst the week before travelling over to Wentworth for the BMW PGA,” he said.

“I’m playing in a charity event so it will be nice to run my eye over the course and the changes I’ve heard they’ve made there.

“I was last there in ’05 where Cambo (Michael Campbell) held off Tiger (Woods) to win, and I guess it will be special going back as it’s the first time I played all four rounds in a Major Championship.

“So I am looking forward to going back, and now as a US Open winner so that’s going to be good.

“But I’ll be busy these next two weeks before heading into the Players Championship as I have a lot of work to do on my game.

“So there’s more grinding to do but then I’m really pleased with how my game is progressing.”