Graeme McDowell reckons there’s but one option after ending last season with a poorest World Ranking in 15 years.

McDowell tees-up for a first time in 2018 joining Rory McIlroy and Paul Dunne in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

It is also a first occasion ‘G Mac’ will have competed in the UAE capital since finishing third in 2012.

It was a decision McDowell gave much consideration over the Festive Season break and torn beteeem starting the New Year in Palm Springs and at this week’s corresponding PGA Tour’s Career Builder Challenge and what would have been an event he’s never played and on three host courses he’s never seen.

Instead, McDowell is in the Middle East for two weeks and adding next week’s Dubai Desert Classic to his schedule.

Graeme McDowell excieted heading into his first every of the New Year. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

However, he touched down in Abu Dhabi ranked a lowly 189th in the world and having dropped three places just by not competing last week whilst it is his poorest ranking since being ranked 234th at the end of 2003.

As well, McDowell last year nose-dived to 137th on the Race to Dubai and his worst-ever showing in a European Tour season since joining the Tour in 2002.

At this early stage of the year his ranking means he’s also exempt into just the one Major in 2018 and that being the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

Then there is September’s Ryder Cup and a Le Golf National course where McDowell captured two French Open titles.

However, McDowell is currently well down the table from the current top of the table European Team qualifiers but then the now 38-year has never been one to take a back step in staring at a challenge. 

“I know my World Ranking is not good bu then it is not important to me what my ranking is at the time being,” he said.  “What I do know is that it is one of my goals for the New Year to improve my ranking and put the runs of the board and get myself back inside the top-50, and get myself into the Ryder Cup side.

“Also, it is all about getting back to again competing on the weekends.  So, like I’ve said I do feel that there is a lot of things happening in the right direction.

“It translated into me feeling a happier individual on the golf course towards the end of last year whereas at the end of 2016 and also the middle of last year as I was getting really frustrated with a few things including the driver that was sucking the life out of me but like I say, I feel some things have happened to move me in the right direction.”