Graeme McDowell’s dream of capturing a second career major remains very much alive as he heads a big contingent of 18 Irish among 288 players, teeing-up today (TUESDAY) over four venues and vying for just 19 spots into next fortnight’s 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
McDowell will be looking to compete in golf’s oldest major for a first occasion since 2019, and also returning to Royal Liverpool for a first occasion since 2014 when he shared ninth place behind fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy.
‘G Mac’ made his Open Championship debut in 2004 at Royal Troon, and secured a best result of T4th eight years later in 2012 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
Graeme McDowell looking to contest this year’s 151st Open Championship
The 2010 U.S. Open champ has not contested a major championship since missing the cut at the 2020 U.S. Open, and despite birdieing the closing two holes McDowell missed out by a shot in teeing-up in last month’s U.S. Open in LA.
McDowell will tee-up at the West Lancashire course, a long-time qualifying venue when The Open is played at Royal Liverpool.
“I’m heading to West Lancashire as it’s going to be my only way to qualify for the Open Championship, and I will be there and prepare as best I can”, he said last week while competing in the Valderrama LIV event.
“I’ve never been to the course before and looking forward to teeing-up.
“It goes without saying, I still dream of major championships, and I still dream of competing against the best players in the world. Nothing has changed, and LIV hasn’t changed who I am and who I want to be.
“I still believe I am good enough to compete and hopefully I can earn one of the qualifying spots on offer and then move on to tee-up at Royal Liverpool.
“I was extremely disappointed not to qualify for the U.S. Open, having birdied the closing two holes and missed out by a shot, so looking very much forward to getting through at West Lancashire”.
And the West Lancashire course to the north of Royal Liverpool will boast the strongest showing of golfers including McDowell’s fellow LIV star and Masters champ Sergio Garcia along with PGA Tour winning Matt Wallace and 2014 European Ryder Cup winning hero Jamie Donaldson.
