Graeme McDowell’s ‘love affair’ with the Masters continues with a ninth Augusta National appearance.
McDowell insisted he drove down Magnolia Lane earlier in the week with a smile on his face but then it remains to be seen whether that smile stays with he drives back out the front gates come Sunday night.
His Augusta stats would suggest otherwise with McDowell finishing a best of T12th in 2012 but then playing all four rounds only on two other occasions – T17th (2009) and T52nd (2015).
Graeme McDowell finally looking to kick start his love affair with the Masters.
On the other five years it’s been the weekend off for 36-year old McDowell.
“My love for the Masters hasn’t changed,” he said.
“I still love it. I’m just here with a smile on my face this week, just having some fun.
I’m going to play three weeks in a row, but this is probably the least of my three chances.
“I’ve got Hilton Head and San Antonio coming up after this one so this is the least of my chances. I’m okay with that; I’m accepting of that. I’m just playing here with an open mind this week.
“The game is in good shape. I think I’ve got some departments of my game that are in good shape to help me get around this golf course, one being my iron play and one being my short game.
“I feel like I’m really chipping it well and my bunker play is in good shape. Those two things are really helping me, and I’m focussing a lot harder on my putting coming into this week.”
McDowell played a Tuesday practice round in the company of fellow Irishman Shane Lowry ahead of teeing up tomorrow (THURS) at 1.17pm (6.17pm Irish) in the company of Argentina’s Fabian Gomez, who captured this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii, and American Scott Piercy, qualifying in winning last year’s Barbasol Championship.
The key for McDowell is clearly posting a decent first round score as in his eight prior appearances he’s broken 70 just once on the opening day and that was a 69 in 2009.
“I’ve learned not to get too pent up about this one as it’s a tough golf course for me and I’m going to have to really chip-putt well to compete here,” he said.
“I think being okay with that is just part of the experience of my ninth Masters I suppose.
“The fact is I know it’s not a perfect set-up for me and I’ll require a good attitude to get around here this week.
“So, we’ll see. I love being here. It’s such a special place and it is an unrequited love thing. I do love this golf course very, very much.”
