7/09/2015

McDowell Finds Route 66

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Graeme McDowell enjoyed a welcome return to form on the opening day of the Scottish Open on Thursday.

McDowell’s sole top-10 finish on the European Tour this season came back in February and he missed the cut when bidding for a third successive French Open title last week, a second round of 78 being his worst score in 32 rounds at Le Golf National.

The 35-year-old admitted he needed to “clear his mind” of thoughts about technique and looked to have succeeded with an opening 66 at Gullane, which was marred only by bogeys at the last two holes.

“It’s always disappointing to finish with a couple of bogeys but I played some good stuff today,” said McDowell, who carded four birdies in succession in a front nine of 30 and also birdied the 16th before three-putting the 17th and 18th.

“I drove the ball well and the putter was quite spicy the first 11 or 12 holes before cooling down, but I would have taken 66 before going out and I will take it now.”

McDowell revealed he and coach Pete Cowen had found the solution to his poor form by looking at videos of his swing from 2010, the year he won the US Open at Pebble Beach and holed the winning putt in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

“I’m trying to get back to basics and we have narrowed my stance and used my body to swing the club how I used to,” McDowell added.

“And it was nice to get back on a course that gives you a few opportunities in benign conditions. I just need a few low numbers to get my belief and confidence back and today will go a long way towards that.”

McDowell was by no means the only player to take advantage of the 7,133-yard par-70 composite course, with American pair Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar also finishing four under.

Thorbjorn Olesen had set the clubhouse target on seven under after a flawless 63, with England’s Matthew Nixon, Spain’s Adrian Otaegui and American Ryder Cup player Jimmy Walker on five under.

In a week dominated by Rory McIlroy missing his British Open defence due to an ankle injury suffered playing football, Olesen could sympathise with the world number one after injuring himself getting off a camel in Dubai last year.

“When I had to get down I pulled a muscle in my groin and it took a few weeks before I could walk properly again,” Olesen admitted with a smile.

The 25-year-old also discovered a tendon problem in his left hand over the winter but battled on for four events – missing the cut in the last three – before undergoing surgery at the start of February.

“It’s been a tough time but I keep working on the right things and hopefully it will come,” said Olesen, who lost a play-off for the Mauritius Open in May in his first event back after three months on the sidelines. “I showed today I can still shoot low rounds.

“I hit almost every green – only missing the 18th – and hit a lot of fairways and greens today, which was the key.”

Two birdies in the final five holes helped Pádraig Harrington card a two-under 68

Damien McGrane was in the clubhouse after a round of 69

Michael Hoey signed for a level-par 72.

Paul McGinley got off to a disastrous start, finding himself on four over after two holes following a triple bogey on the opening hole and a bogey on the second to end Thursday on a six-over 76.


Rory Will be Gutted - GMAC


Rory McIlroy will be "gutted" to miss out on the defence of his Open title next week, according to Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell.

McIlroy revealed on Monday that he had suffered a "total rupture" of the anterior talofibular ligament in his left ankle while playing football with friends at the weekend.

The 26-year-old pulled out of this week's Scottish Open at Gullane as a result and, although he initially did not rule himself out of competing at St Andrews, the four-time major winner has now revealed he is taking a "long-term view" of the injury and will remain on the sidelines to continue his rehabilitation.

The clash between McIlroy and Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth in the 144th Open had been eagerly anticipated and McDowell said: "It's hugely disappointing, especially with him and Jordan and everything that's going on. It was looking a really exciting Open for all involved.

"I was reading between the lines as to what the description of his injury was. I wasn't expecting him to play in the Open, so I'm not surprised he's pulled out. But it's a massive blow for the tournament, he's the world's number one player. We hope for a speedy recovery.

"No one would love to stop Jordan in his tracks next week more than Rory. With the fun rivalry going on and everything, he's going to be gutted. I saw the golf course last Saturday and I believed that Rory was rightly a favourite. I thought he'd get it done round there."

Former US Open champion Justin Rose added: "I would have been surprised if he was there given the initial diagnosis but it's a big shame for him and the tournament."