Graeme McDowell is assured of one celebration later this month and would dearly love to make it a triple delight.
His wife, Kristin is due to give birth to the couple’s second child on August 29th and a day before fellow Irishman Darren Clarke will announce his three Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ picks.
McDowell is currently 20th on the European Team points standing and needing a top of the board finish in this week’s Wyndham Championship, and in theory the final PGA Tour qualifying event for European-born competitors in the States.
“I am playing here for a first time really with three things on my mind with the first being we have a second baby due the Monday after next week’s Barclays Championship,” he said after posting a two under par 68 on day one of the event in Greensboro.
“Number two thing on my mind is the Ryder Cup and I know I need two big performances to have a chance but that really is secondary as I am here also to get ready for the FedEx Cup Play-Offs.
“I want to get myself inside the top-30 and be in that field that competes in the Tour Championship at Atlanta.
“So this week is a part limber up but also to show to Darren (Clarke) I am playing well. I don’t know what I need to do to make the team so I just need to compete but then I guess I will have to finish top-five to at least get the captain’s attention.”
McDowell teed-up in Greensboro lying 33rd on the FedEx Cup points standing so good showings over the next fortnight, on top of becoming a father for a second time, should ease any mental strain.
And while fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, who is also competing for a first time in Greensboro, has entered next week’s European Tour Made in Denmark event to give him one last shot at making the European Team, McDowell indicated he will stay put in the States.
“I know next week’s Barclays Championship doesn’t count for the Ryder Cup but given also it is the last week before the end of European Team qualifying, it can be an eye-catching week in terms of a wildcard pick,” said McDowell.
“A win or top of the board finish at the Barclays has to put you on the radar.
“But I am not going to try and read Darren’s mind or do the number crunching as I all I can do is play as well as I can this week and then go to Bethpage Park next week and try to do the same.
“Whatever it happens, happens but I will say one thing I will be disappointed to be sitting on my couch watching the Ryder Cup on the box.”
McDowell’s opening Wyndham round was a mix of five birdies but also three bogeys, and with each of the bogeys being three putts including his last from just off the front edge of the green.
“I played well today and did what I had to do in hitting plenty of fairways with some nine irons shots but then just a little scrappy on the greens as you saw there at the last,” he said.
“I had three-putted my first, third and the last all from the fringe so maybe that is something I need to work on but happy enough with my start.
“And being the first time I’ve played here I am happy enough.”
