G-Mac positive despite Houston horror

Graeme McDowell was pleased with his decision to contest the Shell Houston Open despite posting a highest score on American soil in three seasons.

McDowell had resisted the urge to play practice rounds at Augusta and instead competed in the Texas event for a first time in six years.

However, after his opening round of 70 the nature of the Redstone course changed greatly after a torrential downpour flooded the course later on Thursday and with McDowell then producing scores of 69, 73 and a final day 77. Included in McDowell’s last round was three birdies but also five bogeys, along with a fourth hole double bogey after finding water with his second shot.

The last occasion McDowell posted a 77 was in the third round of the 2009 Players Championship.

“The golf course just changed big time, big time and went from a golf course I thought I could score on to a golf course which became a real slog,” said McDowell.

“I had the wind sucked from my sails yesterday in shooting 73 and at that point I was just very much trying to get to Augusta.

“I am still hitting a lot of high quality shots but just didn’t have it in and around the greens so it’s disappointing the weekend didn’t turn into the preparation I was hoping for. But I am pleased I came here to Houston and I’m looking forward to going now to Augusta.”

McDowell had a further two hours odd wait after his round as he was joining Thomas Bjorn, who was still on the course, and Henrik Stenson on a private charter flight straight to Augusta. McDowell will drive down Magnolia Lane later today and play just nine holes of Augusta National.

Pádraig Harrington arrived six hours ahead of McDowell, having left Houston aboard ‘Harrington Airways’ mid-morning Sunday after being cut from the event after three rounds. Darren Clarke, who walked off the Houston course on Friday with a groin concern, was also an early Augusta arrival.