McDowell determined to turn it around

GRAEME McDOWELL promised he and Rory McIlroy would go out all guns blazing this morning in an effort to turn around their fourballs encounter with Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

The Americans bounced back from a slow start that saw the Europeans lead 1-up after four holes before play was suspended. Some gutsy putting from Cink gave the former Open champion four birdies on the resumption of play, McDowell’s birdie at the ninth the only opposition, and turned the US deficit into a 2-up lead after 11 holes.

“The first four or five holes this morning was a good start for the whole team in general and we had a good energy about us. But that afternoon session didn’t seem to go so well,” said McDowell, after play had been brought to a halt for the day.

“Rory and I both struggled to get into our rhythm when we got back out there. We weren’t feeling on top of things and Stewart Cink made a few bombs on us to keep them in there when it looked like we could have gone a couple up at one point.

“But we are looking forward to getting back out there and repairing the damage. They were kind of keen to play on and the light was fading pretty quick so we didn’t want to let them continue with the momentum. We will get back to the hotel, get some sleep, regroup and come out with all guns blazing in the morning.”

McIlroy, 21, admitted to nerves as he walked on to the first tee for the first time yesterday morning for a Ryder Cup debut in an atmosphere like none he had experienced before.

“The first tee was...the best atmosphere on a golf course that I have ever felt,” McIlroy said.

“I was nervous but once I got the first tee shot away I was fine but I let Graeme hit the first one. The most important thing now is to try and get back into the match and make a good start tomorrow morning.”

Fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington was similarly optimistic about turning round his and Luke Donald’s one-hole deficit after eight holes to the unregarded American rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.

“We were not going to underestimate them going out there and we knew it would be a tough match and it has proven to be tough,” Harrington said.

Picture: : Ireland’s Graeme McDowell celebrates going one up with Rory McIlroy after holing out at the fourth in yesterday’s fourball at Celtic Manor.