That last thing Graeme McDowell needs is a weekend off in Paris ahead of the up-coming British Open at Muirfield.
McDowell has found his way to Versailles and Thursday’s commencing French Open after missing the last in his last two events – the US Open and last week’s Irish Open.
The current World No. 9 joined Ireland’s three fellow Major Champions in crashing out of Carton House with scores of 71 and 74.
Graeme McDowell warms-up for the French Open playing the Pro-Am alongside former French rugby star Abdelatif Benazzi. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
It was the first occasion in four years McDowell has missed the cut in back-to-back European Tour events but then you have to go back a further six years, and McDowell’s second full season on Tour for the only time in his career he’s missed out in three events in succession.
That was in 2003 when McDowell sat out the weekend rounds in his closing three events of that year.
“A missed cut at last week’s Irish Open can lead to several things as you can be frustrated and disappointed or try and down your sorrows or you can take the constructive criticism and learn and try and get better,” he said.
“I spent last weekend hitting a lot of golf balls with my coach and just trying to prepare myself for this week.
“Looking back I went into the Irish Open probably a little bit under-prepared as I have missed a few cuts the last five to six weeks but in saying that I haven’t played a whole lot of golf this year.
“So I am just lacking a little sharpness and all I need is some playing time, and coming into this French Open golf course I always enjoy it, so I am really keen and hungry to compete this week.”
On the eve of last week’s Irish Open, McDowell had admitted being caught out by poor weather at Merion and a subsequent lack of practice time spoilt his US Open hopes at Merion.
And on the eve of the French Open he indicated ‘all departments’ were a little off last week at Carton House but it not yet prepared to hit the panic button ahead of his next event after the French Open, the July 18th commencing British Open.
“No, there’s no need to be hitting any panic button and there was nothing outstandingly wrong last week,” he said.
“I was just a little off in all departments and I can fix that by spending more time on the golf course and more time on the range, and just sharpening up everything.”
However McDowell only has to draw on memories of two wins this season, the RBC Heritage in South Carolina and his Volvo World Match-Play Championship victory in Bulgaria, to be reminded of his capabilities.
“Those two wins help keep me patient and keep down the frustration levels a little bit,” he added.
“So in some way it’s nice to be fresh as I am coming into a big run of tournaments what with the French Open this week, the Open Championship in a couple of weeks time and then straight back to the PGA Tour for the Canadian Open, Firestone, the PGA Championship and the FedEx Play-Offs.
“So I am not going to be complaining of a lack of competitive play in a couple of months time as it will be the complete opposite.”
Joining McDowell is seven other Irish including fellow Royal Portrush member, Alan Dunbar and 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley.
