For a second European Tour season in succession Graeme McDowell is kick-starting his year at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Of course, McDowell is playing the two events in Hawaii on the PGA Tour but it was in Dubai a year ago where he secured his only top-10 European Tour finish of T9th in last year’s event and in what was an overall disappointing 2015 until very late in the year when McDowell captured a third PGA Tour event in winning ‘Mexico’s Major’, the Mayokoba Classic.
G Mac attributed a difficult time on the course last year to adjusting to life at home after the birth of his daughter. “It had been a rough year, but for all the right reasons,” he said.
“I enjoyed life off the golf course with my beautiful family. Golf hasn’t been the priority it should be. But I have got back to where I want to be,” said McDowell, who will be hoping to tap into good vibes he gets when playing on the Majlis course.
Graeme McDowell kick-starting a new season for a second year in a row in the Omega Dubai Deseret Classic.
“Of the four Middle East events we play, this has got to be the best opportunity for me from a golf course point of view. The Majlis is a classic golf course, no doubt about it. Certainly, length helps, but there’s a huge premium on accuracy. You’ve got to drive it in the fairway to give yourself an opportunity to make birdies.
“The scoring is normally fairly low and the greens are just perfect, as well.
“I always love coming back to Dubai and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a prestigious event. There are some great names on the trophy and there’s always a fantastic atmosphere from the great crowds at the event. I’m looking forward to the week as it is as important for me to get into the groove early in the season,” said McDowell, who boasts 14 worldwide professional wins, including 10 on the European Tour.
“When I go to a tournament, I like to feel that I am in a position to compete – and Ibelieve I can compete to win on this course,” says McDowell, who rose to number four in the world rankings in January 2011 following a memorable 2010 season, punctuated by his historic US Open victory over the famous links at Pebble Beach.
Historic because it ended Europe’s 40-year drought at America’s national championship, making McDowell the first Northern Irishman to accomplish the feat, and the first European US Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, said: “We look forward to welcoming back a player who brings charisma and charm wherever he plays
“Besides being a world-class player, Graeme is a great human being, one who does a lot of charity work through his G-Mac Foundation to support children’s medical research in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the United States.
“I wish him the very best and hope he returns home with some fond memories of his stay in Dubai.”
