Below-par McDowell welcomes ‘reality check’

GRAEME MCDOWELL crashed to an eight over 80 in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and confessed that it might be just the “kick in the ass” he needs to get his game in shape for the Masters.

The US Open champion had just one birdie against six bogeys and a triple bogey eight on his 15th hole en route to his highest ever score ever in a non-major on the PGA Tour.

The world number four has been struggling with his long game since the WGC-Accenture Match Play but he now admits that he has a major problem on his hands just 13 days before he takes on Augusta National.