G-Mac ready to master Augusta

THEY say it takes experience to win a Masters and after a shaky start to his career in the tournament, it can only be good news that Graeme McDowell finally feels comfortable at Augusta National.

After a breakout year in 2010 that saw the Portrush golfer become the US Open champion, win twice apiece on either side of the Atlantic, land a Ryder Cup for Europe and slay Tiger Woods in his own tournament, there is still much to achieve for the 31-year-old.

McDowell, whose delight with the way his preparation has gone was such that he took yesterday off to watch his beloved Manchester United play Chelsea, is still on an upward curve and nowhere is that more important than Augusta National, where in three appearances he has managed just one cut, when he finished 17th in 2009.