Could in-form McDowell be the man to end the jinx?

IT has to happen sometime. That’s invariably the answer any time you query whether an Irishman will ever again capture his native Open Championship.

That may sound reasonable but with the passing of each tournament it sounds like it mightn’t be based on the soundest of logic.

The title hasn’t stayed at home since 1982, when John O’Leary prevailed at Portmarnock. Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton, David Feherty, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley are just some of those who have tried break the jinx since.