McDowell ready to begin hunt for big game

IRELAND’S Graeme McDowell has only to look around him this week to see what a difference one shot has made to his life.

The 23-year-old's victory in the Scandinavian Masters earlier this month in only his fourth professional tournament has put him alongside the game's biggest names at the 4.7 million NEC world championship in Seattle starting tomorrow.

''When I heard I had qualified I was quite shocked it's the biggest event I've ever played in,'' said McDowell, the first of last year's Walker Cup-winning side to taste success in the paid ranks.