Graeme McDowell heads into the defence of his double French Open title looking to turn around an indifferent season in the first of six events he will contest in the next seven weeks.
McDowell made the decision to commence his 2015 season in Dubai and his ninth place finish behind World No. 1 Rory McIroy remains easily his brightest result in 14 events this year.
In fact, the current World No. 48 has struggled to generate any momentum as evident in missing the halfway cut in his past three events including last fortnight’s U.S. Open.
However thoughts of becoming just a sixth player in the history of the European Tour to win the same event three years running has ignited McDowell’s competitive fire.
Greame McDowell looking to join elite group of just six players to have won the same event three years running. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“I picked up a virus in Memphis the week before the U.S. Open with the 115 heat index that week not helping and I then carried that hang-over into Chambers Bay which was a highly difficult test and it just killed my momentum a bit as I thought I was starting to play a bit better,” he said.
“But coming into the summer I have incredible run of golf coming as I am playing six of the next seven events and then go into the FedEx Cup Play-Offs.
“And there is no better time to be playing well these next threes as I am also playing the Scottish Open and The Open before heading straight to Canada.
“That’s the beauty of this game as while it’s been a rough four or five months on the course, it’s been awesome off the course with the family.
“But then you are only a couple of good weeks away from getting back on track and I won’t be hitting any panic button as I remaining very patient and this is a great week to suck in all the old visuals and the good inspiration and kick off a good summer.”
McDowell jetted into Paris late Tuesday night accompanied by his wife, Kristin and their young daughter, Vale.
It is Vale’s second overseas journey having previously journeyed the short flight from Orlando to the Bahama’s.
The McDowell’s stopped over en-route in Portrush for a handful of days and with McDowell playing 10 holes at Royal Portrush Monday and 11 holes on Tuesday in the company of his father, Kenny.
“It’s very special coming back to this French tournament and having a chance to win a tournament three times in a row is very special,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed this golf course, right back in the early days when I would come here.”
