Graeme McDowell’s second straight French Open success has delivered European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley yet another huge Gleneagles boost.
McDowell came from eight shots back at the start of the final day to win by a shot when American Kevin Stadler three-putted the final green for bogey and virtually ‘gift wrap’ a 13th win worldwide for the Northern Irishman.
His success on the 2018 Ryder Cup host course is not only a huge boost for the soon-to-be new father heading to Royal Liverpool but McGinley could not have been happier.
The Dubliner was forced to withdraw at the start of the first round due to a shoulder injury but wasted little time sending the 2010 Ryder Cup winning hero a congratulatory text.
McDowell set up victory with five birdies starting at the second, that he birdied for a third day in succession, and then at the ninth for a second day running.
Graeme McDowell delivers Paul McGinley a huge lift in winning a second straight French Open and moving closer to competing at Gleneagles. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
McDowell then burst clear of the field with birdies at 13, 14 and a superb 20-footer at the par three, 16th where he had also holed out for a two on day one.
In contrast to a year ago McDowell went into the last round sharing the lead before carding a 67 and the same score he shot to retain the gleaming trophy.
McDowell’s earned a Euro 500,000 for his win that has seen his European Tour earnings break through the Euro 17m barrier.
The Northern Irishman is returning home to Orlando this week to spend time with his pregnant wife, Kristin and will arrive at Royal Liverpool on Monday to begin preparations for his 11th straight British Open appearance.
And part of that preparation, and on the course where he finished well down the field in 2006, will entail playing a practice round with 22-year Greystone’s amateur Paul Dunne who won through to this year’s 143rd British Open a week ago by finishing top in a qualifier at Woburn.
McDowell’s British Open showing will be his 36th Major Championship since making his in the 2004 British Open at Royal Troon.
And after going so close to success two years ago at Royal Lytham and St. Annes McDowell is quietly confident of adding a Claret Jug to his US Open replica.
There was double Irish delight with fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey securing a Royal Liverpool tee time in shooting a 71 to finish seventh at one under par to secure the second of three spots into golf’s oldest Major.
It will be only Hoey’s third British Open appearance after contesting 2001 championship at the reigning British Amateur champion and then two years ago at Royal Lytham and St. Annes
“I was trying not to think about The Open spot too much today, one shot at a time, and trying to hit good swings, but it’s a major,” he said.
“I’ve played in The Open two years ago and wanted to do better than I did at Lytham. It’s a great course, Hoylake. I played the British Amateur there. Mikko (Illonen & reigning Irish Open winner) beat me in the quarter-final, so looking forward to going back and seeing it again.”
Hoey went into the final French day playing alongside McDowell also at one under par and also eight from the front.
The reigning Russian Open title-holder birdied his second and third holes but dropped shots at four, eight and the 10th hole before regrouping with 15th and 16th hole birdies.
However he came unstuck at the last yet again and putting a fourth ball into the water in three rounds to join McDowell walking off with a bogey.
“To play the 18th in five-over for the four days and finish inside the top-10, and to then qualify for The Open is pretty incredible,” said Hoey.
“This course is linksy and with the weather today, and so it’s been tough but I will go and get some rest now, decide on the Scottish Open in the next few hours. But I’d love to play Aberdeen so we’ll see what happens.”
And before leaving Hoey paid tribute to McDowell.
“It was great to see him win as he’s just mentally very, very good, very solid on the greens,” said Hoey.
“He hits the right shot at the right time and fortunately I was able to do that, as well, down the stretch. He’s a great competitor, a warrior, really.”
