The Grove, Watford, England …
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell announced he’s pulled the plug on his European Tour season after a best finish in two years in sharing fourth place at the British Masters.
The Orlando-based Northern Irishman posted a final round 68 for a 13-under par tally and end five shots behind Sweden’s Alex Noren at The Grove course north of London.
McDowell’s effort, and after his bitter disappointment in not qualifying for the 2016 European Ryder Cup team, was a best on the European Tour since sharing third place in the 2014 WGC – Champions event in Shanghai.
“It was very pleasing week in general and I wish I had felt as comfortable on the back nine as I did on the front nine all week but that’s one of those things,” he said.
“Sometimes the golf course fits your eye in places and doesn’t fit it in others.
Graeme McDowell records his best European Tour finish in two years but then announces he will play no more Race to Dubai events this year. (Photo – European Tour)
“The back nine really wasn’t flicking my switches this week and I didn’t play it very well. Especially holes like 18, if I played 18 better all week, I think I played it 1-over for the week, which on a hole where Tiger Woods played 7-under par here in 2006 is slightly disappointing.
“But it was just one of those things, all in all, great week.”
McDowell’s finish has seen him jump 11 spots to 46th on the Race to Dubai and well inside the top-60 that will contest the European season-ending DP World Tour Championship starting on November 17th in Dubai.
Instead, McDowell is returning to his young family in Florida and to concentrate on his defence of the November 10th commencing PGA Tour Mayakoba Classic in Mexico.
“No Shanghai or Final Series for me as I’m going to go back and play a couple of the events in the States at the end of the year,” he said.
“I’m going to defend at Mayakoba and play Vegas the week before and I’m going to be in Melbourne for the World Cup with Shane Lowry (November 24th to 27th).
“I’m disappointed not to factor more in the Final Series nor the HSBC as I’m right on the edge in qualifying for last event in Dubai.
“So I’ll focus on those two events. It’s always important to friends when you get the opportunity to defend, and I look forward to finishing down in Melbourne, should be pretty cool.”
It will be the first time in seven years, and since the inception of the Final Series in 2009, McDowell will not partake.
