Graeme McDowell has returned to competition this week in Scotand still getting over the horror in learning his Bahamas holiday home had been blown off the map by Hurricane Dorian.

McDowell along with fellow Ulster golfer, Darren Clarke and South African Thomas Aitken each had their homes totally destroyed at the Abaco resort located on Great Abaco island where the hurricane struck on 1^st September.

McDowell’s disbelief in trying to fathom the loss of life and the total destruction forced him to skip last week’s BMW PGA Championship, and then on Tuesday he bumped into Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington at the entrance of the R & A clubhouse to extend his apologies in not competing at Wentworth.

“Hey, PH?  I just was to say sorry that I could not make Wentworth and the start to the Ryder Cup qualifying process,” he was overheard saying to Harrington.

And the start to 2020 team qualifying has McDowell excited, and despite his current demeanour, knowing that in one way or another, G Mac will be travelling to Whistling Straits this time next year.

“I just apologising to the Captain in not being at Wentworth last week as it was a massive week and I wanted to be there,” said McDowell.

“I also want to be in the team and I also want to show Padraig I am 100% committed, and I want to play as I think I am good enough to play.

“I am sure I will be there in Wisconsin one way or another but I would first and foremost like to be playing.”

Of course, McDowell had been a vice-captain under Thomas Bjorn last September in Versailles and while he played in four straight Ryder Cup’s from 2008, including a being a member of the 2010, 2012 and 2014 teams, the Irishman would love nothing better than to be a playing member of Harrington’s 2020 team.

“The Ryder Cup is something that I cherish and my experiences have been the best of my career. I would love to play at least one more,” he said.