Graeme McDowell’s declared breaking his Ryder Cup winning driver has been a ‘blessing in disguise’ in the countdown to the Masters.
McDowell arrived back to his Orlando residence with two drivers in his bag, the Celtic Manor, Valderrama and Chevron Challenge winning driver from 2010 that will be retired to his trophy cabinet, and a new shining gold Cleveland driver he already believes could lead to Augusta National success.
“I am very, very positive using the new driver and the Callaway breaking has been a blessing in disguise for me,” he said.
G Mac's battle weary Callaway driver now retired to his trophy cabinet. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“I am driving the ball better and I was driving it well in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and I feel that I am hitting it long. It’s flying better and very much under control and I have been ecstatic with the Cleveland.
“I’m probably getting about another five yards or so and hopefully by the Match-Play I can get about an additional 10 yards overall.
”So the Callaway driver will be added to the archives as it’s the driver I won with it in Valderrama and it was a part of my Ryder Cup win plus I used it to win the Chevron.
“I am a semi-sentimental guy when it comes to equipment so I will be framing up the set of clubs I won the US Open along with the driver along with my hybrids and my irons.
“But I’m keeping the putter in the bag.”
McDowell’s next event is next fortnight’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona and the first big showdown of the new season ahead of the April 5th commencing Masters at Augusta.
And while he looks forward to advancing to the last eight for the first time in six appearances, McDowell is eagerly looking forward to taking his new driver to Georgia where he’s missed the halfway cut in three of four appearances.
“I am already thinking about Augusta and now I have got this driver where I want, I am moving it right to left a bit better than I have been with my older drivers,” he said.
“I’m also going to get Cleveland to work on something that will help me shape it a little bit more.”
And while excited about his prospects at Augusta, McDowell has ruled out an early pre-Masters practice round as he has done in the past and instead will contest the Shell Houston Open the week prior.
“I am not going anywhere near Augusta before the Masters as I have tried that the last few years and it has worked very well,” he said.
McDowell also revealed he is contemplating skipping next year’s Qatar Masters and instead contesting the PGA Tour’s AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a first occasion since 2006.
And it will be an all-McDowell pairing with Kenny McDowell to join McDowell on the course where he warmly embraced his U.S. Open winning son on U.S. Father’s Day.
