Graeme McDowell

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Graeme McDowell
Personal information
Full name Graeme McDowell
Nickname GMac
Born 30 July 1979 (1979-07-30) (age 32)
Portrush, Northern Ireland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 168 pounds (76 kg; 12.0 st)
Nationality  Northern Ireland
Residence Portrush, Northern Ireland
Career
College University of Alabama at Birmingham
Turned professional 2002
Current tour(s) European Tour
PGA Tour
Professional wins 8
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour 1
European Tour 7
Other 1
Best results in Major Championships
(Wins: 1)
Masters Tournament T17: 2009
U.S. Open Won: 2010
The Open Championship T11: 2005
PGA Championship T10: 2009
Achievements and awards
Haskins Award 2002
European Tour
Golfer of the Year		 2010

Graeme McDowell MBE (born 30 July 1979) is a Northern Irish professional golfer.

McDowell has won seven events on the European Tour, including the 2010 U.S. Open which was also his first win on the PGA Tour. He has also represented Ireland at the World Cup and been a member of the European Ryder Cup team.

Before turning professional, McDowell had a successful amateur career both in Ireland and in the United States, where he won many tournaments and was recognised as the most outstanding collegiate golfer in 2002. He also represented Ireland internationally and was a member of the triumphant Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2001.

Contents

[edit] Early life

McDowell was born in Portrush, Northern Ireland. He has played with Rathmore Golf Club since he was eight or nine years old. His uncle, Uel Loughery, coached him there when he was younger. At the age of 14, McDowell played senior cup for Rathmore.[1] He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 1998 to 2002. In 2002, he won the Haskins Award, given to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States.[2] He won on six occasions that season,[2] out of 12 college events. In 2001 he was a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team which retained the Walker Cup at Sea Island, Georgia, United States.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Early career

McDowell turned professional in 2002 and won that season's Volvo Scandinavian Masters, which was only his fourth start on the European Tour.[2] That win led to McDowell being given honorary life membership at the Royal Portrush Golf Club.[2] He did not win in his second season, but in 2004 he claimed the Telecom Italia Open and finished sixth on the European Tour's Order of Merit. In 2005, he divided his time between the European and U.S. PGA Tours. He was not yet a full member of the PGA Tour, but his top-50 placing in the Official World Golf Rankings ensured that he received invitations to play in many events in the United States. McDowell managed two top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a tie for second place at the Bay Hill Invitational, which enabled him to earn enough money to become fully exempt on the PGA Tour in 2006. He failed, however, to finish in the top-150 in the 2006 PGA Tour money list, and decided to return to the European Tour for 2007.

In 2008 he returned to the winner's enclosure by winning first the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea, and then the Barclays Scottish Open. He played in the 2008 Ryder Cup, earning 2.5 points for the European team and finished the season ranked fifth on the Order of Merit. In June 2010, McDowell won the Celtic Manor Wales Open by three shots.[3] This was his fifth European win.[4]

McDowell travels and practises with fellow Irish professionals Rory McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington.[2]

[edit] 2010 U.S. Open win

In June 2010, McDowell won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, becoming the first Northern Irishman to accomplish the feat, and the first European U.S. Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970. He was also the first player from the United Kingdom to win a major championship since Paul Lawrie won The Open Championship in 1999, and the first Northern Irishman to win a major since Fred Daly won the 1947 Open Championship.[1][2][5] McDowell was only the second European to win the U.S. Open since 1925. He rose to number 13 in the world rankings, then a career high, and became the eighth European in the top 15.[6][7]

McDowell embraced his father, Kenny, on Father's Day,[4] and almost immediately called fellow golfer Rory McIlroy to joke about a possible partnership in the 2010 Ryder Cup.[8] He celebrated with a large crowd, including the golfer Pádraig Harrington, in the United States.[8] There were celebrations in his native Portrush as well when news of McDowell's win broke,[1] with "the mother of all parties" planned to get underway in the town.[9][9] The "famous win" set off "a brand new life" for McDowell, according to The Guardian's golf correspondent, Lawrence Donegan.[4] The Daily Telegraph's Mark Reason said: "The previous three tournaments in the United States have been won by Lee Westwood, Justin Rose [both English] and now McDowell. It's an unprecedented surge and America must feel like it is being invaded".[6] McDowell's manager, Conor Ridge, accepted bookings for American TV shows, such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as a cameo role in Entourage.[8] Shortly after winning the U.S. Open, McDowell joined the PGA Tour and earned a five-year exemption for winning a major.

[edit] 2010 Ryder Cup win

On Monday, 4 October 2010, McDowell was charged with putting to win on the 17th green of the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.[10] His was the last match of the 12 player singles, with his opponent being Hunter Mahan, to win the tournament 14.5/13.5 for Europe, and it was his 5 foot putt that was conceded to give victory to Europe.[11]

[edit] Remainder of 2010 season

He finished the 2010 season with another win at the Andalucía Valderrama Masters and was second behind Martin Kaymer in the 2010 Race to Dubai standings.

On December 5, 2010, McDowell beat Tiger Woods in a playoff to win the 2010 Chevron World Challenge.[12]

McDowell and Martin Kaymer shared the European Tour Golfer of the Year award.[13]

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to golf.[14]

[edit] Personal

As he won the U.S. Open in 2010 he was living in a "bachelor pad" penthouse apartment in Portrush and was building a home in Lake Nona, Florida, United States.[2]

In January 2011 McDowell was photographed by Kevin Abosch for "The Face of Ireland" project.[15][16]

McDowell is a self-confessed Manchester United fan. In the build up to the 2011 Masters Tournament he skipped the annual par-3 contest in order to watch a UEFA Champions League clash between United and Chelsea.[17]

On 10 April 2011, it was announced that McDowell will receive an honorary doctorate (D.Sc) from the University of Ulster for his services to golf.[18]

[edit] Amateur wins (6)

  • 1996 Ulster Boys Championship
  • 1999 Irish Youths Championship
  • 2000 Irish Amateur Closed Championship, Irish Youths Championship, World Universities Championship, South of Ireland Championship

[edit] Professional wins (8)

[edit] European Tour wins (7)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other European Tour (6)
No. Date Tournament Winning Score Margin of Victory Runner(s)-up
1 4 Aug 2002 Volvo Scandinavian Masters −14 (64–73–66–67=270) 1 stroke South Africa Trevor Immelman
2 2 May 2004 Telecom Italia Open −19 (67–65–65=197) Playoff France Thomas Levet
3 16 Mar 2008 Ballantine's Championship −24 (68–64–66–66=264) Playoff India Jeev Milkha Singh
4 13 Jul 2008 Barclays Scottish Open −13 (67–70–66–68=271) 2 strokes South Africa James Kingston
5 6 Jun 2010 Celtic Manor Wales Open −15 (72–70–64–63=269) 3 strokes Wales Rhys Davies
6 20 Jun 2010 U.S. Open E (71–68–71–74=284) 1 stroke France Grégory Havret
7 31 Oct 2010 Andalucía Valderrama Masters −3 (68–67–72–74=281) 2 strokes Denmark Søren Kjeldsen, Northern Ireland Gareth Maybin
Republic of Ireland Damien McGrane

[edit] PGA Tour wins (1)

No. Date Tournament Winning Score Margin of Victory Runner-up
1 20 Jun 2010 U.S. Open E (71–68–71–74=284) 1 stroke France Grégory Havret

[edit] Other wins (1)

[edit] Major championships

[edit] Wins (1)

Year Championship 54 Holes Winning Score Margin Runner-up
2010 U.S. Open 3 shot deficit E (71–68–71–74=284) 1 stroke France Grégory Havret

[edit] Results timeline

Tournament 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
The Masters DNP CUT DNP DNP DNP T17
U.S. Open DNP T80 T48 T30 DNP T18
The Open Championship CUT T11 T61 CUT T19 T34
PGA Championship CUT CUT T37 DNP T15 T10
Tournament 2010 2011
The Masters CUT CUT
U.S. Open 1 T14
The Open Championship T23 CUT
PGA Championship CUT CUT

DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

[edit] Summary

  • Tournaments played: 24
  • Wins: 1
  • 2nd: 0
  • 3rd: 0
  • Top 10s: 2
  • Top 25s: 9
  • Missed cuts: 9
  • Most consecutive cuts made: 6

[edit] Results in World Golf Championship events

Tournament 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Accenture Match Play Championship DNP DNP DNP R32 R64 DNP DNP
Cadillac Championship DNP DNP T43 T6 DNP DNP T48
Bridgestone Invitational T52 DNP DNP WD DNP DNP T56
Tournament 2009 2010 2011
Accenture Match Play Championship R64 R64 R16
Cadillac Championship T66 T6 T42
Bridgestone Invitational T45 T22 T65
HSBC Champions DNP T34 3

DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.

[edit] Team appearances

Amateur

  • Walker Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2001 (winners)
  • Palmer Cup: (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 2000 (winners), 2001

Professional

  • Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2008, 2010 (winners)
    • Record: 8 matches, 5 points (62.50% Point Percentage)
    • All Formats (W-L-H): 4–2–2 = 5pts
      • Singles: 2–0–0 = 2pts
      • Foursomes: 1–1–2 = 2pts
      • Fourballs: 1–1–0 = 1pt
  • Seve Trophy: (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 2005 (winners), 2009 (winners)
  • Royal Trophy (representing Europe): 2006 (winners)
  • World Cup (representing Ireland): 2008, 2009, 2011

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Murphy, Una (22 June 2010). "Golf buddies pay tribute to McDowell". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0622/1224273029472.html. Retrieved 22 June 2010. ""Graeme is a Portrush man and in terms of golf, he is Irish. He is with the Irish professional golf team – it's the same as the rugby."" 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Gallagher, Paul (22 June 2010). "Local lad is the toast of Portrush and Rathmore Golf clubs". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0622/1224273028476.html. Retrieved 22 June 2010. 
  3. ^ "Graeme McDowell secures Wales Open crown". BBC Sport. 6 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8724876.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-08. 
  4. ^ a b c Donegan, Lawrence (21 June 2010). "Graeme McDowell has the steely calm to build on his US Open victory". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/21/graeme-mcdowell-us-open1. Retrieved 21 June 2010. 
  5. ^ "US Open: Graeme McDowell triumphs at Pebble Beach". BBC Sport. 21 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8750826.stm. Retrieved 14 July 2010. 
  6. ^ a b Reason, Mark (21 June 2010). "US Open 2010: 'Ice Man' Graeme McDowell shows his cool with victory at Pebble Beach". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/usopen/7844679/US-Open-2010-Ice-Man-Graeme-McDowell-shows-his-cool-with-victory-at-Pebble-Beach.html. Retrieved 21 June 2010. 
  7. ^ Week 25 – Graeme McDowell Wins The US Open At Pebble Beach And Jumps To World Number 13
  8. ^ a b c Keogh, Brian (22 June 2010). "McDowell sets sights on Ryder Cup glory". Irish Examiner (Thomas Crosbie Holdings). http://www.examiner.ie/world/mcdowell-sets-sights-on-ryder-cup-glory-123043.html. Retrieved 22 June 2010. 
  9. ^ a b "Graeme McDowell town set for victory party". The Belfast Telegraph (Independent News & Media). 21 June 2010. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/graeme-mcdowell-town-set-for-victory-party-14850488.html. Retrieved 21 June 2010. 
  10. ^ "Ryder Cup 2010 reaction: Graeme McDowell says pressure was 'bananas'". The Telegraph. 4 October 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rydercup/8041887/Ryder-Cup-2010-reaction-Graeme-McDowell-says-pressure-was-bananas.html. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
  11. ^ "McDowell seals dramatic win as Europe regains Ryder Cup". BBC Sport. 4 October 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9056244.stm. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
  12. ^ "Graeme McDowell beats Tiger Woods in Chevron play-off". BBC Sport. 5 December 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9258845.stm. Retrieved 2010-12-06. 
  13. ^ Historic Joint Award For Kaymer and McDowell
  14. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 59647. p. 19. 31 December 2010.
  15. ^ McDowell quickly silences questions over new equipment
  16. ^ The Face of Ireland
  17. ^ McDowell skips par 3 tournament to watch United
  18. ^ University of Ulster To Honour High Achievers

[edit] External links
1985 Bernhard Langer • 1986 Seve Ballesteros • 1987 Ian Woosnam • 1988 Seve Ballesteros • 1989 Nick Faldo • 1990 Nick Faldo • 1991 Seve Ballesteros • 1992 Nick Faldo • 1993 Bernhard Langer • 1994 Ernie Els • 1995 Colin Montgomerie • 1996 Colin Montgomerie • 1997 Colin Montgomerie • 1998 Lee Westwood • 1999 Colin Montgomerie • 2000 Lee Westwood • 2001 Retief Goosen • 2002 Ernie Els • 2003 Ernie Els • 2004 Vijay Singh • 2005 Michael Campbell • 2006 Paul Casey • 2007 Pádraig Harrington • 2008 Pádraig Harrington • 2009 Lee Westwood • 2010 Martin Kaymer & Graeme McDowell (shared) • 2011 Luke Donald
European Ryder Cup team – 2008
Europe
Lost: 11.5 – 16.5
European Ryder Cup team – 2010
Europe
Won: 14.5 – 13.5
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