Former US Open Champion Graeme McDowell has vowed to put a disappointing 2015 season behind him and concentrate on starting his Ryder Cup selection campaign and also his 2016 season here at this week’s Porsche European Open.

McDowell has contested six times in the past but with the event not having been staged since 2009.

However after finishing a very poor 165th in the FedEx Cup the 36 year old is looking to finally turn around an indifferent year highlighted by the very first event of his 2015 schedule, and that was ninth in the Dubai Desert Classic.

“I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking to resurrect my season, and this week is as important for me as any of the past few months have been,” he said.

“I’m starting my 2016 campaign this week and my Ryder Cup campaign. I want to drive myself forward and get myself where I feel I belong.

Graeme McDowell pledging to turn around his poor season at this week’s Porsche European Open. Picture: Golffile | David Lloyd

“Golf is a tough game sometimes and it has felt more difficult this year for me than it has in the past. But it makes you appreciate the good times in the past and I’m looking forward to good times ahead.

“Since Whistling Straits I took two weeks off and didn’t touch any clubs. Then I’ve been working pretty hard for three weeks now. I spent some time with the family.

“I’ve just been resetting and practising and trying to get this ship back on path. I’m playing here, Dunhill (Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), British Masters, Hong Kong and Turkey and hopefully HSBC (World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions), then we will see.”

McDowell will get his opening round under way at 0800 on Thursday alongside Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg and Scot Marc Warren.