Graeme McDowell may have forfeited full PGA Tour membership but his standing in the game speaks volumes with the Ulsterman now headlining alongside fellow Major Champions Jordan Spieth, Jim Furyk, Jason Dufner and Jimmy Walker in April’s Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
McDowell returned to competition at last week’s AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on an invitation but had to sit out the Farmers Insurance Open a fortnight earlier, and also having been afforded an invitation, after bruising his lunate bone in his left wrist during a New Year holiday break in the Bahamas.
And in teeing-up at Pebble Beach, and where he had captured the 2010 U.S. Open, McDowell bravely fought his way to a share of 18th place despite admitting his wrist felt just 80% and having the wrist also heavily strapped.
McDowell will tee-up in next week’s Puerto Rico Open and the following week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational along with the Valspar Championship (March 21st – 24th) and now has the Valero Texas Open on his schedule.
Organiser of the Euro 6.6m Lone Star State tournament heralded McDowell’s appearance earlier today (Thursday).
McDowell has contested the event twice before and first in 2015 partnering Dustin Johnson and Furyk but had been forced to withdraw after just nine holes on day one of the event after he strained tendons in his left ankle while practicing earlier in the week.
Graeme McDowell playing out of bunker during only his nine holes in the 2015 Valero Texas Open.
McDowell returned to the Texas event in 2017 to finish just inside the top-30.
He and wife, Kristin had politely turned-down an invitation that weekend to ”Wedding of the Year” of Rory McIlroy and with McDowell keen to win for a first time since 2015.
Then after four days after the frustration of a cold putter at Hilton Head, McDowell needed just 22 putts to muscle his way to contention early on day one of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
McDowell grabbed seven birdies in a four-under par 68 to end the round just two behind South African Branden Grace.
Graeme McDowell later withdraws from the 2015 Valero Texas Open.(Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It was then best opening round all season and in his ten events and a shot better than the 69 he recorded on day one of last February’s Genesis Open in suburban L A.
“I am really happy with a 68 as I swung the club really well today and while there was a couple of loose irons shots, the putter that was cold as it was last week at Hilton Head was hot today here in San Antonio,” he said at the time.
“This is only my second time here but I have always liked the way this golf course sets up for me.
“So, clearly happy to get off to a great start.
Jim Furyk, Jason Dufner and Graeme McDowell to contest this year’s Valero Texas Open.
“Then once on the greens, I felt really good and felt if I could give myself a good look at anything inside 30-feet they had a good chance of going in.”
Indeed, McDowell kick started his round holing a 23-footer at the second and then also birdied the next with a laser-like 170-yard over water at the par three, third to just three feet.
He birdied nine and 10, dropped shots at 11 and 12 but bounced back with birdies at 13 and 14 and holed a 23-footer for birdie on 17.
While highlighting the careers of Texas-born Speith and Walker, along with Furyk and Dufner, organisers of the year’s Valero Texas Open promoted McDowell’s appearance saying:-
“McDowell won the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where the national championship returns this year for the first time since the Irishman won there. McDowell has three PGA TOUR victories and eight European Tour titles. This will mark his third consecutive start here.”
Others contesting this year’s event include World No. 8 Rickie Fowler, 12th ranked Tony Finau as well as past Valero Texas Open champions Andrew Landry (2018), Kevin Chappell (2017), Jimmy Walker (2015), Martin Laird (2013) and Brendan Steele (2011).
San Antonio residents Cameron Champ and Abraham Ancer are also in the field.
