GMAC Seeks Rankings Jump

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Graeme McDowell has returned to the Maybank Malaysian Open for the first time since 2008 this week with his sights firmly set on winning back his place in the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking.

The former US Open Champion is currently World Number 20 and has not occupied a place among the world’s ten best players since September 2013. However, with his personal life better than ever and having started the season with a strong performance in Dubai last week, where he was tied ninth, McDowell is optimistic for the year ahead.

“I think my focus is better than it’s been in a long time,” said the Ryder Cup star. “I’ve got a young family and my personal life is in a really nice place and I’m really enjoying it. The balance of that is giving me the mental space to re-focus on my game again, and I certainly have things I want to achieve.

“I need to take my focus off trying to make an impact on money lists both sides of the Atlantic and put my focus on the World Rankings. I’d like to get back into the top ten in the world this year - that’s one of the goals. By committing to my processes and trying my best every week, I know that’s something I can achieve.”

McDowell is excited to be back in Malaysia for the US$3million event, and he spent Tuesday afternoon getting to know the course at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in the company of the Malaysian Prime Minister and the Chairman of Maybank.

“I’ve heard the Prime Minister has been putting in some extra practice, so I’d better watch myself,” he joked.

“Obviously I’m looking forward to getting familiar with the course as it’s my first time here.

“I think I’ve played four times in Malaysia in my career and it’s always a fun place to come. KL is a great city, very multicultural and diverse. We cruised around yesterday afternoon and scoped out a few good restaurants that I’ll hope to visit this week.”

Of his game and form, the 35 year old added: “I was very happy with how I played in Dubai. You’re never quite sure how you’re going to play in the first tournament back after a good break, how you’ll do when you’ve got the card back in your pocket. But I was very pleased. I didn’t really contend at the weekend which was a little disappointing, but it’s a good start.”

McDowell is joined in the Malaysian capital by the captain of the 2014 European Ryder Cup team, Paul McGinley, who will make his first appearance since early November 2014 after having knee surgery.

The 48 year old said: “It was the seventh operation I’ve had on my left knee. I couldn’t play any of the Desert Swing events as a result and I only started hitting balls again ten days ago. Today’s pro-am was my third round since the BMW Masters in Shanghai at the beginning of November last year.

“So there’s not been much golf and therefore my expectations are pretty low. But I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to the week.

“It was nice to have a good break after such a busy year last year. The weather is lousy though so I’ve been looking forward to getting away again. I was disappointed not to play the events in the Middle East, but my knee wasn’t ready for that.”