Major McDowell Not One Hit Wonder

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Graeme McDowell says he is desperate to prove he is not a "one-hit wonder" as a major winner, and would "give his left arm" to add to his US Open title at Hoylake this week.

The 34-year-old's best finish at the Open is a share of fifth place in 2012, while he led the tournament after one round the last time it was held at Hoylake in 2006 before fading over the final three days.

McDowell, who won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, will tee off on Thursday in confident mood after successfully defending his French Open title two weeks ago.

"I'd give my left arm for the Claret Jug. I would, actually. That would be the end of my career, but it would be a nice way to go," joked McDowell.

"I feel like I'm ready to kick on to the next chapter in my career now and compete and win more major championships.

"I certainly don't want to be a one-hit wonder and I've learned a lot over the last few years since my US Open victory.

"I'd give my left arm for the Claret Jug. I would, actually. That would be the end of my career, but it would be a nice way to go." 

"I'd love a Claret Jug. Probably that and the green jacket (given to Masters champions) are probably neck and neck, but the Claret Jug is probably the one that I feel like I have the game to win as opposed to the Masters.

"I guess what I'm saying is I'm more motivated than ever to win major championships.

"I think I've got the experience and belief and knowledge where if I can play my game, I have the tools to then hang around for 72 holes and perhaps get the job done. I feel like I'm more ready than I've ever been to win another major."

McDowell said his confidence was partly based on his belief that the Hoylake course is ideally suited to his game.

"This is my kind of golf course this week and I want to give myself as many opportunities as I can to win majors," he said.

"I like it because you can't take trouble out of play. St Andrews is an example of a golf course where the big boys can just aim as far left as they want and hammer it and hit it past trouble.

"I think Lytham forces you into necks. This golf course forces you into little areas. It's well bunkered, there's bunkers at 260 and 290 yards where you have to be disciplined off the tee and find fairways and rely on good iron play."

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Flying Finn Wins Fota Irish Open

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Mikko Ilonen survived a final hole scare to win the Irish Open at Fota Island with a closing one-under 70.

The Finn had a two-shot teeing off at the par five final hole but drove into trees, hit his recovery up against another and could only punch his third 100 yards down the fairway.

However, a solid wedge to the green allowed the 34-year-old to two-putt for a bogey six and take his third European title with a score of 13-under - a shot better than Italian Edoardo Molinari and two in front of Swede Kristoffer Broberg and English duo Mattew Baldwin and Danny Willett.

Graeme McDowell's bid to delight his home Irish fans and score a first win on home soil ended in frustration as a cold putter denied him the chance to convert numerous birdie chances.

He managed just one all day in a round of level par 71 which left him down in tied sixth place with Swede Magnus A Carlsson.

McDowell said: "One of the worst putting.rounds as a weekend of my career as regards being in contention. I let a lot slip away yesterday and continued in the same vein today. I kind of got in that mode where I was starting to search a bit on the greens, over-reading, over-technicalising.

"I'm very disappointed. I did the tee-to-green stuff. Gave myself the opportunities coming in but just couldn't get the ball in the hole.

"Really disappointed but what a fantastic week. A great Irish Open, great fans and I'm just disappointed I couldn't do a little bit better for them." 

Ilonen had laid the foundation for victory with a new course record of 64 in the opening round and although that only lasted until Willett, aided by a hole-in-one, shot 63 on Saturday, the 34-year-old Finn took a one-shot lead into the final round.

Birdies on the second and fourth took Ilonen three clear of the field until Willett carded his second birdie of the day on the ninth, but that was as close as anyone got until Ilonen dropped his only shot of the day on the last, ironically after hitting an iron off the tee for safety.

English teenager Matt Fitzpatrick, who was the only amateur to make the cut in the US Open last week, finished in a tie for 29th in his first tournament as a professional following a closing 68.

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Rory Hopes to be Major McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy admits that winning more majors is his priority in 2014 following a poor set of results in the big events in 2013.

After winning the 2011 US Open at Congressional and the 2012 US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island - both by stunning eight-shot margins - the Northern Irishman's difficult 2013 was highlighted by his disappointing performances in the majors.

He finished 25th in The Masters at Augusta, tied 41st in the US Open at Merion, missed the cut in The Open Championship at Muirfield and tied eighth in the US PGA.

Having secured victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month, McIlroy is relishing the chance to push for more major glory in this week's US Open at Pinehurst No 2. 

"After the season I had in the majors last year, I was coming in this year and making them a real priority," he said in Wednesday's US Open press conference.

"I want to get in contention. I want to feel the buzz of being there on the last day of majors and having a chance to win and being more consistent.

"I didn't really do that at The Masters this year. I finished top 10 but I never really had a chance to win. I had a good weekend which was nice but I've got three majors left this season and they're the biggest tournaments in the world and you want to try and do as well as you can in them and you do everything you can do prepare the best way possible.

"It's only been five majors since I won at Kiawah (Island) so it's not that bad but, even if it doesn't happen this week, getting myself into contention and feeling that buzz of having a chance, that's really what I want to do."

The weather forecast suggests plenty of rain at Pinehurst this week and McIlroy believes it could help his bid.

"I seem to do well on wet golf courses. Even though this isn't going to get wet, it'll take the fire out of the golf course which might play into my hands a bit, it might make a few holes play a little bit longer. 

"I wouldn't mind seeing a little bit of rain. I'm fine either way. I'm mentally preparing myself for it to be a firm and fast test this week. But if it rains a little bit it might make things a tad easier for me."

The Northern Irishman goes into the tournament ranked sixth in the world and admits he would love to get back to world No 1, a position currently held by Australian Adam Scott.

McIlroy has spent a total of 39 weeks at the top of the world rankings, his longest stretch coming between August 2012 and March 2013.

"There's a lot of guys that have a chance to get to the top of the world rankings. There could a real tussle for that come the end of the summer," said the 25-year-old.

"Of course I've got a desire to get back to number one in the world. I've been there before, I know what it feels like and I want to get back there again.

"I'd love to get back to the point where I can seize control of that like I did at the end of 2012. Hopefully I'd handle it a little better and keep hold of it a little longer."

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McIlroy Targets More Majors

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Rory McIlroy arrives at The memorial with a new found confidence knowing that a major lurks just around the corner having won the US Open at Congressional in 2011. Then matched it with the Wannamaker Trophy a year later at Kiawah Island, making the visit to Pinehurst in a couple weeks a chance to banish the demons of of last season.

 

Consequently Rory has targeted two major victories this season to make up for his winless year in 2013.

The Northern Irishman keen to make up for lost time following a slump in form last year that saw him fall from world No.1 to outside the top 10.

"My game is really coming back," he said. "I won a major in 2011 and 2012 but last year, so I'll try to make up for that with two this year."

McIlroy's victory at Wentworth, just days after announcing his break-up to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, surprised even the man himself. But now, he admits, it is time to look forward.

"I knew I was playing well going into the BMW," he said. "I'd finished in the top 10 four times in a row just before this - including the Masters and at Sawgrass - so I knew I wasn't far off my best.

"Top 10s are great but not what I'm looking for.

"The last couple of years I came to Wentworth struggling with my game and getting frustrated. So going there in good form, I was excited.

"Winning does my confidence the world of good, knowing that I can get the job done under pressure and when I need to. That was the most pleasing thing about the win.

"The win in Australia at the end of last year stopped all the questions about reasons behind my form, such as equipment and all that stuff.

"This victory, against one of the best fields of the year, just shows my game is back on track again. Hopefully it won't be long before I'm contending in majors again and it validates all the hard work I've put in this past year."

McIlroy's will not have to wait long for his next shot at a major, with the US Open starting at Pinehurst on June 12.

"I've never been there, but I hear there is going to be no rough and that, for a US Open, is going to be very different," he said.

"I don't think it will be a course that suits one player or another. You'll need to be long - but most players these days can get it out there and it'll suit me to get my driver in my hands.

"It's all about the second shot. Obviously the greens are very tricky at Pinehurst with a lot of run-offs and slopes, and you'll have to be very imaginative around them. Some guys will try and bump it into hills and run it up, while others will try and fly it to the top. It's going to be very interesting.

Earlier in the year, McIlroy claimed that golf needs a player to push on and take Tiger Woods' mantle as the dominant player in the game. A comment he stands by.

"I would like to be that guy," he added. "I like to think my win at Wentworth is a springboard to do just that.

"There are still three majors to play this year and a lot of big tournaments to win. Even though we are halfway through the season, I feel like mine is just beginning."

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Lowry Hopes to Master Nordea

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Shane Lowry hopes to cap his return to form with victory in this week's Nordea Masters in Sweden.

The Northern Irishman feels he has rediscovered his touch, as well as feeling much better mentally, over the last couple of weeks.

He finished 15th at the Spanish Open a fortnight ago and improved on that with second place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week before securing a place at the US Open in qualifying at Walton Heath.

"I am in a decent frame of mind as I've been playing quite well over the last few weeks," said Lowry, whose last win came in the 2012 Portugal Masters.

"I was struggling a lot and managed to find something at the Spanish Open and brought it into Wentworth and I really enjoyed it there and played well at Walton Heath on Monday.

"I feel I am mentally back to where I am when I am playing my best. I am switched on and nothing seems to faze me when I'm like this.

"With my finish last week and qualifying Monday I've definitely got two of the next three majors and hopefully the Open as well, in addition to the Irish Open.

"But tomorrow is a new tournament. I know I have done well last week and Monday but everyone is standing on the first tee tomorrow with the shame chance of winning."

Strong field

But he faces a strong field which includes new world No 2 Henrik Stenson, who is returning to the event on home soil for the first time since 2011.

"I've not played in this tournament for a few years so I'm seeing a lot of people who I haven't seen for a while," Stenson said.

"It's always great to catch up with them and I am really feeling the support. There are going to be a lot of people coming to watch - unless it stays cold.

"When you start moaning about the rain in England I suppose I deserve to get it back here. I never felt it this cold at the start of the summer - it can't get any colder otherwise it will snow!

"It would be great to win this week. I came very close in 2005 when I lost in a play-off when Mark Hensby drained a 30ft putt on the last to force a play-off and won on the second play-off hole.

"At that point it was very hard to take and it took a week or two for me to get over that. It would be nice to get revenge after being so close."

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Phelan Joins Mount Juliet

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Kevin Phelan, the European Tour rookie who achieved his first top-10 finish last weekend, has been named as the attached professional at Mount Juliet.

Phelan will carry the Kilkenny resort's logo on his golf bag and it's a perfect fit for the recent Q-School graduate.

Born in New York, Phelan spent his boyhood in Waterford before moving to St Augustine, North Florida, at age 13, where he completed his High School and College education.

"I'm delighted to become the attached tour professional for Ireland's premier parkland course," said Phelan, who tied sixth at last week's Tshwane Open in South Africa. "The facilities are world-class and it is an honour to be associated with a venue that has hosted many prestigious tournaments."

"This is very exciting," said Anthony Brady, the resort's director of sales and marketing. "Kevin holds the values we appreciate – he is a talented golfer, but also a gentleman. We hope Mount Juliet becomes a home away from home for him."

Phelan has enjoyed a memorable 12 months, splendidly making the cut in June's US Open at Merion while still an amateur before winning two points out of three at the Walker Cup.

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GMAC Stays with ECCO

As part of this multi-year agreement, Graeme McDowell will also be featured in global marketing and advertising initiatives supporting the ECCO Golf Collection and appear at company functions.

Currently ranked 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking, the 34-year-old native of Northern Ireland captured the 2013 World Match Play Championship, RBC Heritage and French Open titles. 

“For a long time on Tour I’ve been wearing the World Class style which is quite traditional and goes great with a pair of classic-looking trousers. But for casual rounds at Lake Nona or even hanging out at Nona Blue it’s been BIOM Hybrid all the way and I may just choose those to go with some new outfits for next season,” says Graeme McDowell.

One of the world’s most popular players, McDowell made history in 2010 when he became the first European in 40 years to win the U.S. Open Championship. 

“Graeme’s one of those rare players that nearly everyone admires, which obviously helps make him a tremendous ambassador for our brand. His short game is so exceptional and he’s just coming into his prime, which is why we look forward to seeing him hoist trophies in ECCO for many years to come,” says Jesper Thuen, Global Sponsorship, PR & Event Manager – ECCO Golf. 

Updated for 2014, the World Class is a traditionally-styled luxury shoe handmade in Portugal by a team of artisans working with the finest materials. It features an outsole combining water-repellent leather with cushioning PU and wear-resistant TPU. 

The classic brogue upper is crafted from leathers that are tanned using an exclusive HYDROMAX™ treatment. This ensures long-lasting suppleness while helping protect a player’s feet against even the harshest weather.

ECCO, a world leading brand of shoes combining style and comfort, has built its success on quality and innovative technology. The design philosophy is rooted in the founder’s approach to being a shoemaker – the shoe must follow the foot. The shoes of ECCO are anchored in functionality, quality and craftsmanship on the platform of Scandinavian design. Founded in 1963, ECCO is one of the few major shoe manufacturers in the world to own and manage every step of the shoemaking process. 

GMAC is scheduled to make his season debut February 6-9 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

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