Graeme McDowell has paid tribute to fellow Irishman Gareth Maybin who last week announced his retirement from the Tour after being plagued by a long time wrist injury.

Maybin, 36 competed i172 European Tour events enjoying three second place finishes, including runner-up to McDowell in the 2o1o Andalucia Masters, along with 16 other top-1os and among those a gallant 5th in the 2o13 Scottish Open for overall career earnings of  Euro 5o7,68o.

However the very affable Maybin had his later career plagued by wrist injury and two weeks ago after shooting a first day 76, the same long nagging injury forced him out of the Challenge Tour’s Turkish Airlines Challenge.

Graeme McDowell being congratulate by Gareth Maybin in winning the 2o1o Andalucia Masters.

McDowell spoke glowingly ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship of Maybin but also expressed the disappointment, and a disappointment shared by so many, that injury cut short the Ballyclare-born golfer’s career.

“Gareth was a very tenacious player and got a lot out of his game and had been pretty successful early in his career,” said McDowell.

“I remember he and I were in the very last match at the 2o1o Andalucia Masters and I had to fight very hard to secure the victory.

“However, I had heard he was struggling with a wrist injury but did not realise it was that serious.

“So, it is very disappointing to see a guy with a decent little career boiling along and to see his career cut short by injury.

“You would never wish that on anyone and all I can do, like so many others, is to wish him well in the future”.