Graham McDowell has dismissed fears Rory McIlroy’s game could suffer when he switches from Titleist to Nike.

Des Smyth believes Pádraig Harrington can consider himself ‘unlucky’ if not afforded a ‘wildcard’ pick for next month’s Ryder Cup at Medinah.

As Rory McIlroy walked to the tenth tee box yesterday, bidding to win his second major championship in as many years, he could have been forgiven for offering two fingers at many of the journalists (myself included) who would have openly questioned his commitment to the game over the past number of months.

Graeme McDowell is quietly confident a decision to journey from Orlando, Florida to Akron, Ohio via Kiawah Island, South Carolina will lead to glory later next week along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

When the question was asked of Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, it wasn’t easy to stifle laugher.

Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell agrees with Lee Westwood's assessment that Rory McIlroy would have been a more worthy recipient than Rickie Fowler of the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.

EUROPEAN Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie has expressed delight Graeme McDowell has now qualified for the three remaining Major Championships and also gave a vote of confidence to struggling Darren Clarke.