Graeme McDowell has his eyes set ending his season by opening a $385,000 prize gift under the giant Christmas tree in front of the Tiburon Golf Club clubhouse in Naples, Florida.
The amount is a half share of first place in the Greg Norman hosted Franklin Templeton Shootout, an 18-man team’s event being staged over three days on the west coast of the Sunshine State.
It is McDowell’s fourth appearance in the event and his first since 2010, but also his final tournament of the season.
“It’s a great way to finish the year playing in a two-man team event competing in better ball, alternate shot and playing with a good friend in Gary Woodland,” said McDowell.
“This is my fourth time competing here at Triburon and they go a great job down here, and while they make it all very relaxed for these three days there is also the serious side of Gary and I trying to win the tournament.
Giant Christmas tree in front of the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
“So after a long season it would be nice to end the year on a winning note.”
McDowell and Woodland will tee off later today (THUR) at 10.55am local time (3.55pm Irish) tackling the defending duo of the Americans Matt Kurchar and Harris English.
The last occasion McDowell contested the event he and fellow Ulsterman Darren Clarke finished third in 2010 behind Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson.
“Gary and I are good neighbours over at Lake Nona and the combination of his length off the tee and my short game skills should be a good combination this week,” added McDowell.
Graeme McDowell pairs with Lake Nona neighbour Gary Woodland as this week’s Franklin Templeton Shootout. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Gary’s got a game that I’ve always enjoyed watching and hopefully we can use his power off the tee in a few places around this golf course because overall this is a short and tricky golf course here at Triburon.
At the end of this week McDowell not compete again to next January’s Dubai Desert Classic while is was announced recently he will also travel to Malaysia the week after teeing up in the UAE to contest the Maybank Malaysian Open.
“I will be looking forward to a break after this week but then I am already thinking hard of what I need to work on heading into 2015,” he said.
“But the clubs will be going away on Saturday night till after Christmas and I will get them out of the garage just after Christmas.
“And besides I’ve already had one eye on next season since the last couple of months and things I need to work on physically and both technically.”
Graeme McDowell plays his second shot down the last and leading his team to second place on Wednesday’s Pro-Am. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
