G-Mac prepared for ‘fun’ weekend
Having lost his way a little following his annus mirabilis in 2010, when he landed the US Open at Pebble Beach, McDowell returned to Major contention last year and found himself in the final group on a Sunday in both the US Open and Open Championship, only to come up just short, finishing tied second behind Webb Simpson at Olympic in the former and in a share of fifth as Ernie Els lifted the Claret Jug at Lytham.
This year, though, has been very different. He may have returned to winning ways with three tournament victories on the regular tours but the Majors have been a frustrating experience, missing the cut at both the Masters and US Open and most recently limping home in a tie for 58th last month in The Open, having gone into both Merion and Muirfield as a strongly-fancied contender.
“Last year was bittersweet and this year has been just bitter,” McDowell said of his Majors experience in 2012 and 2013. “I’m keen to not walk away from my Major season with four disappointments. I’m keen to try and get on the board this weekend and have some fun.
“It does have a finality to it this week, it’s amazing when the PGA [arrives], it signals you’re three-quarters of the way through the season. It doesn’t feel like we’ve started long and here we are at the USPGA, it’s mad how time flies.
“It is very difficult, you have got to measure how much you want it and rein it in. all you can do is go out with a game plan and hope to compete and hope to have a sniff.”
McDowell, 34, has had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the PGA Championship, with three top-15 finishes and four missed cuts in eight appearances, but with this week’s event at Oak Hill being played over Donald Ross’s par-70 East Course with a premium on hitting the fairways and greens and avoiding thick, penal rough, the Antrim man may find more joy than usual here in upstate New York.
“I think this is US Open-esque, with a bit of balance to it,” he said. “There is some room for manoeuvre in some holes, like 14, a pure par-four hole in the hill. You can play it as a 5-iron and a wedge or you can play it as a drive to the front bunker, it does give you some chances and some options.
“But generally it plays fairways and greens, plodders, scramblers, trying to hang in there. I love the way it sets up. It sets up for my type of play. I worked hard in Firestone [at last week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he finished tied for 40th] to be able to come in here and be able to play nine holes and nine holes and nine holes and be relaxed and be as ready as possible.”
Having been framed as a live contender both in the US Open following his RBC Heritage and Volvo World Match Play victories and again in The Open after winning the French Open, McDowell is happy to be flying under the radar this week.
“There was an expectation level at Merion, but I wouldn’t blame that for my poor performance at all. That was a lack of play, a little underprepared and what not. I’m very prepared coming in this week.
“It is nice being a dark horse... I have probably been this relaxed before, but I think I have a decent amount of belief that if I can get on the board this week, I can give myself a chance.”
Age: 37; Odds: 9/2 favourite
World ranking: 1
Best finish: Winner (1999, 2000, ’06, ’07)
Last year: T11;
Cuts made: 14/15; Scoring average: 70.22 (58 rds)
16 starts without a major victory but Woods is a five-time PGA Tour winner this year and clearly in his best shape yet to add major number 15 after a second-round 61 en route to victory last week in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Age: 43; Odds: 16/1
World ranking: 2
Best finish: Winner (2005);
Last year: T36
Cuts made: 19/20;
Scoring Average: 70.99 (78 rds)
Produced a final round for the ages when his 66 at Muirfield landed The Open and completed the third leg of a Grand Slam of major victories. Playing his best golf in years and bidding for first back-to-back major titles since Pádraig Harrington did the same double in 2008.
Age: 33; Odds: 18/1
World ranking: 5
Best finish: T3 (2006):
Last year: T11
Cuts made: 9/12;
Scoring Average: 71.69 (42rds)
Misery at The Open for a second year in a row as he blew another lead on the back nine in the final round to finish tied for third but Scott can bounce back, just as he did when winning the Masters in April to break his major duck after 47 attempts.
Age: 31; Odds: 33/1
World ranking: 25
Best finish: T16 (2009);
Last year: Missed cut (MC);
Cuts made: 4/7;
Scoring average: 72.64 (22 rds)
Returning to play after becoming a father for first time a fortnight ago, Mahan is in great nick with a share of fourth at the US Open and tie for ninth at The Open having started both those final rounds in the lead group. Like Woods, is a Sean Foley pupil and an excellent ball striker.
Age: 33; Odds: 28/1
World ranking: 4
Best finish: T3 (2012)
Cuts made: 5/10;
Scoring Average: 72.50 (30 rds)
The newly-crowned US Open champion missed the cut at The Open last month but rebounded last week with a tie for 17th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. A fine ball-striker and yet another Foley client.
Age: 24; Odds: 33/1
World ranking: 3
Best finish: Winner (2012);
Last year: 1st
Cuts made: 4/4;
Scoring Average: 70.56 (16 rds).
Defending champion following his record-breaking romp at Kiawah Island but still short of that dominant form and confidence. However, an excellent record in this championship — two thirds and a victory in four starts — and if anyone can switch it back on it’s McIlroy.
Age: 32; Odds: 28/1;
World ranking: 7
Best finish: T18 (2007);
Last year: MC;
Cuts made: 3/6;
Scoring average: 72.89 (18 rds)
Another American knocking on the door of major greatness. Was tied for sixth at the Masters, T17 in the US Open, T11 at The Open and has since won the Canadian Open, his second victory of the year.
Age: 40; Odds: 33/1;
World ranking: 12
Best finish: T3 (2009);
Last year: MC;
Cuts made: 9/15;
Scoring average: 72.10 (48 rds)
Had victory within his grasp at Muirfield before letting the Claret Jig slip over the final round but has the game and character to finally become a major champion.
Age: 35; Odds: 40/1;
World ranking: 9
Best finish: T3 (2006);
Last year: T32;
Cuts made: 8/9;
Scoring average: 71.62 (34 rds)
A quiet year for the Englishman highlighted by a share of eighth at the US Open. Emerged from missed cuts at The Open and Canadian Open with a T9 at Firestone. Oak Hill is a ball-striker’s course and Donald is accurate off the tee.
Age: 27; Odds: 33/1;
World ranking: 10
Best finish: Winner (2011);
Last year: T3;
Cuts made: 2/2;
Scoring average: 69.5 (8 rds)
A PGA Championship specialist after just two appearances with a win and a tie for third. Also bang in-form having finished tied for second at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week.
Age: 37; Odds: 25/1;
World ranking: 11
Best finish: T4 (2008);
Last year: MC;
Cuts made: 4/6;
Scoring average: 72.00 (20 rds)
Remarkably good form of late with a tie for third at the Scottish Open and consecutive runner-up finishes at The Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Age: 37; Odds: 40/1;
World ranking: 26
Best finish: T3 (2010); Last year: 70th;
Cuts made: 6/9;
Scoring average: 72.27 (30 rds)
Remarkably consistent ball-striker who can perform well anywhere, as shown by losing a play-off at the John Deere Classic, followed by a T6 at The Open and then T4 at Firestone.
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