Graeme McDowell says the start to his new season is unaffected being without his regular caddy, Ken Comboy.
Comboy is present for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic but is recovering from recent knee surgery and has been advised to sit out McDowell’s appearance this week in the UAE and also next week’s Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
Instead McDowell has been reunited with England’s Matt Harbour who previously caddied for McDowell up to the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot.
“It’s good to have Matt back on the bag as it’s been some years and besides Kenny’s side-lined for this next fortnight after having knee surgery two weeks ago,” said McDowell.
Graeme McDowell reunited again with former caddy Matt Harbour. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I just wanted to play it safe as far as Kenny’s knee is concerned and besides he’s come out here this week to lend support to Matt which is great.”
And in a change of New Year starting scenery McDowell is also commencing his season in Dubai for a first occasion since 2010.
“This Emirates Course is probably my favourite of all the desert courses out here in the Middle East so it wasn’t that hard a decision,” said McDowell.
“But then they have always had a big tournament field here in Dubai and that sort of suits me better than Abu Dhabi or Qatar.
“So the fire’s there in the belly to again start a new season and the big goals for me in 2015 is just to up it a gear on 2014.
Cornwall-born Matt Harbour again caddying for Graeme McDowell. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“Last year was a very consistent year for me with a lot of good things but then I just need those three or four big weeks this year to make it into a really great season.
“So looking forward to those great performances in the bigger tournaments like the Majors and the WGCs.”
McDowell got his season under way teaming with Martin Kaymer to contest an eight-man nine-hole Challenge over the Emirates Course and won by the pairing of Stephen Gallacher and Henrik Stenson.
And coming down the 18th McDowell paused to take a ‘selfie’ of himself in front of the ever-changing Dubai skyline.
“It’s good to get back to work and a nice nine holes to get into the competitive groove as it was the Shark Shootout when I last played a competitive round,” he said.
“In in the interim I’ve practiced pretty hard while Pete (Cowen – coach) was in Orlando with me the 4th, 5th and 6th January and that got my year off to a good start.
“Other than that I have just been undertaking some work in the gym and just trying to get myself in shape for the New Year.
“So I’m feeling fresh and well, and raring to go.”
