McDowell seeks repeat on his Island of dreams

GRAEME McDOWELL, who has reclaimed his place in the world top 50 thanks to a top 10 finish in the Volvo China Open, hopes for a repeat of some fond memories at this week’s Ballantines Championship over the Pinx golf course in Jeju Island, Korea.

The 30 year-old Ulster man won the fourth of his European Tour titles there two years ago and having shot 10 under in China, bids to improve on his world ranking of 49th. The other Irish in the Korea field are Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Gareth Maybin, Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane.

The entry for the €2.2m event is led by world number seven Ernie Els, a two-time winner this year on the US Tour, and Colombian Camilo Villegas. The home favourite is reigning US PGA champ YE Yang, who played impressive golf to win in China.

The lucrative Race to Dubai order of merit is proving an attraction for the international players on the European Tour with Els, third; Yang, seventh, and Villegas, eighth, all seeking to improve their positions on the table.

It’s not quite such a promising picture for the Irish players on Tour with Pádraig Harrington best in 17th. McDowell is 22nd, Rory McIlroy, (26th); Darren Clarke, (33rd); Shane Lowry, (57th); Gareth Maybin, (59th); Peter Lawrie, (64th); Michael Hoey (91st); Damien McGrane, (92nd); Simon Thornton, (133rd); Paul McGinley, (206th) and Gary Murphy, (234th).

The US Tour continues this week with the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with WGC Accenture World Match Play champion Ian Poulter leading the European challenge and hoping to atone for a poor Masters weekend. World number three Steve Stricker defends his title from a field which includes Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.

Harrington and McIlroy return to action next week at the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Tiger Woods is set to make his second appearance this year.