McDowell on course for Masters place

GRAEME McDOWELL’S prospects of making a first appearance in the Masters at Augusta National next month have improved still further, with yesterday’s news that he has improved to 50th place in the world rankings.

The top 50 at the end of March automatically receive an invitation to the Masters. The 25 year-old Ulsterman currently has 2.19 points, exactly the same as John Daly in 49th spot. Immediately behind McDowell, all on 2.15, are Thomas Levet of France, Australian Richard Green and Tim Herron of the US, so there is precious little between these five heading into this week’s Honda Classic in Florida.

McDowell received a further boost with an invitation to this tournament and also has every chance of figuring in the Bay Hill Classic in Orlando the following week. If he is still in the top 50 by then, he will also appear in the points-laden Players Championship at Sawgrass at the end of the month. Padraig Harrington, 52nd at the weekend in Doral although still eighth in the world rankings, also plays in the Honda before heading home for a week off. He then returns to the States for three straight events - the Players Championship at Sawgrass, the Bell South Classic and the Masters.

Darren Clarke (out to 16th in the world) is again idle this week but intends to play Bay Hill and the Players in the build-up to the Masters.

Ernie Els, the spectacular winner of the Dubai Desert Classic at the weekend, heads the field in the Qatar Masters on the European Tour. The Irish in the field are Paul McGinley (currently 69th in the world rankings), Gary Murphy, Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane.