G-Mac prepared for ‘fun’ weekend

Graeme McDowell’s Major fortunes have gone from bittersweet to bitter over the last two seasons, but the Portrush man will approach the last shot at glory this year happy that his dark horse status could bring a simply sweet conclusion.

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.