Fatherhood is helping refocus and rededicate Graeme McDowell as he insisted he will not alter his playing schedule looking ahead to the New Year.
It is now nine weeks since McDowell’s wife, Kristin gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter named Vale.
Indeed the gated Lake Nona Estate in suburban Orlando where the McDowell’s reside is becoming the child-rearing capital of the European Tour with four members of the recent victorious European Ryder Cup team now boasting 10 children between them.
Emma Stenson, and wife to Henrik Stenson, gave birth last weekend to the couple’s third child while Ian Poulter has four children and Justin Rose two.
In fact, if you also count Peter Hanson’s two children that is a dozen.
McDowell is away from his family for this week’s BMW Masters and also next week’s WGC – HSBC Champions and then returns home for a week before another long haul flight to Dubai for the final event of the 2014 European Tour year and then concluding his season with two events in Florida.
Graeme McDowell insists fatherhood is helping his rededicate and refocus on his career. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“It’s hard to jump on a plane leaving Kristin and Vale behind for these for two weeks in China because I know when I get back the baby will have changed so much,” he said.
“That’s why I envy Henrik not being here this week as it’s a special time in he and Emma’s life with a third child being born and I’m sure he’s enjoying that first week of sleepless nights.
“But then it’s important given it’s a long career out here that you don’t miss those opportunities to be there for the birth of your children.
“However having a baby is like a switch being flicked on in your head as you know that forever you are responsible for someone’s life and you have to grow up, and if there’s any more growing up to be done that’s the second in your life you have to got to do it.
“So it’s a special time and especially for all of us living at Lake Nona Ian’s got his kids, Henrik’s family is blooming and there’s Justin’s family and now mine, and it’s also cool to be a part of.”
But with McDowell warming to fatherhood he’s not about to change a trans-Atlantic schedule that’s seen him 13 times in 13 years on Tour.
“I have a great balance in my life and I’m refreshed and ready to rededicate myself to my career not only for my last four events this year but heading into 2015,” he said.
“I am such a good place in my personal life that it has allowed me to refocus on my golf and career.
“My focus has not been as great as it should be for the last 18 months but then that’s been for all the right reasons like getting married and becoming a father.
“So looking at my schedule for next year it is already very similar to this year and besides I can’t afford to play any less because I don’t want to play any less on both sides of the Atlantic.”
McDowell was commenting after recording a five under par 67 on the opening day of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
If left McDowell, who is currently ranked 14th on the Race to Dubai, in fifth place and two shots behind in-form Frenchman Alexander Levy.
And with World No. 1 Rory McIlroy near certain to capture a second Race to Dubai title in three years, McDowell singled out the absent four-time Major Champion for special praise.
“When you look at Rory’s year you can’t do anything but respect how great he is, and also how great he is for the game of golf,” said McDowell.
