TPC Boston, MA …. Graeme McDowell teed-up this week at TPC Boston somewhat a relieved golfer.
No, it’s nothing to do with the fact his wife has given birth to the couple’s second child. It’s just G Mac’s confessed he’s relieved the European Ryder Cup selection process is over.
While tweeting he was ‘gutted’ not to make the side, McDowell can now devote his full focus to cementing his place in the season-ending Tour Championship later this month in Atlanta.
McDowell dropped eight spots on the FedEx Cup Play-Off points list to 35th after missing the cut last week on Long Island and needs to be top-30 at the close of next week’s penultimate BMW Championship in Indianapolis to make the field in Atlanta.
“In a way I am glad the qualifying if over as it’s a weight off my mind but then in saying that, when I sit down in a few week’s time and realise I’m not there, it’s going to be the kick in the arse I need for the remainder of my year,” he said ahead of posting a three over par 74 on the opening day of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Graeme McDowell competing in Thursday’s Pro-Am here at TPC Boston.
“We all need a kick in the arse some time but then I still want to play in a couple more Ryder Cup’s.
“And looking back I went into last week at the Barclays putting a bit too much pressure on myself than I wanted to as I had worked hard the week earlier the Wyndham trying to take Ryder Cup qualifying off my radar.
“So after a decent week at the Wyndham I thought to myself maybe, just maybe if I do have a good week at Bethpage that could be me back in Darren’s (Clarke) mind for a pick.
“Luke (Donald) and I had both played well at Greensboro but we each didn’t back it up last week at the Barclays.
“So in saying that I do feel that I am coming out of a bit of a hole mentally and my game is on the way up for hopefully these final three events.
Graeme McDowell and long-time caddy Ken Comboy during Thursday’s Deutsche Bank Championship Pro-Am.
“But overall I have been disappointed with myself with the way I have performed these last few months when the chips were down as I have had a lot of things on my mind this summer and getting on the Ryder Cup team was one of those and having second baby was another.
“It’s all part of life and would I change it? No, I wouldn’t change it”.
McDowell teed-up at TPC Boston the best-placed of the four Irish who have been competing on this year’s 2015/16 PGA Tour wraparound schedule at No. 35 on the FedEx Cup points table.
However after his round of 74 McDowell’s projected to drop 10 spots to 45th and while he will be ever-determined to improve his standing top-60 will see him head to next week’s BMW Championship in Indianapolis.
