Airport hassle for McDowell and McIlroy

GRAEME MCDOWELL’S quest to end the season as the European Tour’s number one didn’t start too well when he andfellow Ulster golfer Rory McIlroy were left stranded at Dubai Airport early yesterday morning.

Ireland’s ‘Big Mac’ golfers, along with new UBS Hong Kong Open champion, Ian Poulter, and joint runner-up Matteo Manassero of Italy, plus many more players, caddies and officials arrived in Dubai at 5.30am local time after their eight-and-a-quarter hour flight from Hong Kong.

McDowell and McIlroy travelled first class on Emirates Airlines but they were still awaiting the arrival of their luggage in Dubai’s flash new terminal long after those in economy were on their way to their respective hotels.

It’s the second week in a row McDowell has had problems in long-haul travelling after he was hit by an excess luggage charge by Cathay Pacific Airlines in carrying the US Open trophy from Singapore to Hong Kong.

“I checked with the same amount of luggage last night at Hong Kong Airport and this time with Emirates there was no problem,” said McDowell.

“But it’s been a long overnight flight and I’m just looking forward to getting to my hotel room and freshening up a bit.”

However there was hardly any rest for McDowell as he was due in nearby Abu Dhabi for an afternoon corporate get-together on the new Yas Golf Links course.

Also on the overnight Emirates flight were four of the other five Irish contesting this week’s Dubai showdown — Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Gareth Maybin.

Triple Major winning Pádraig Harrington is travelling from Dublin.