McDowell gunning for ‘home’ win

Graeme McDowell admitted he would be delighted to end his final stroke play event of the year accepting a third winner’s handshake from Hero World Challenge host, Tiger Woods.

Aside from Woods, McDowell is the only multiple winner in the 14-year history of the 18-man event, and being staged for a one and only occasion this year on the Isleworth Estate course before moving next year for a three-year stint at the Albany Club in the Bahamas. McDowell had been runner-up in 2009 before winning in 2010, and the same year as his US Open success, and then again in 2012.

McDowell is a resident of Lake Nona Resort, located to the east of Orlando, and is no stranger to Isleworth, having competed many times on the course in the Tavistock Cup. “I cashed in a few times here at Isleworth in the low individual award at the Tavistock Cup, so I’ve been here many, many times and I know the course well but in saying that, course knowledge will play a big part in the scoring this week,” he said.

“The local Isleworth boys like Tiger and Bubba (Watson) will be hard to beat but Lake Nona is well represented in myself, Henrik (Stenson) and we will claim Justin (Rose) back.”

McDowell will also have the comfort this week of returning home each night to his residence while he’s also a lot more at ease than the frustration of contesting last fortnight’s European Tour ending DP World Tour Championship where he finished well down in 47th place behind Stenson.

“I just can’t seem to put it all together in Dubai especially with so much riding on the week but then I did manage to hang on and finish the year 14th on the Race to Dubai,” he said.

“So while that was a frustrating week, this is a little more in my comfort zone, even though Isleworth is a tough test of golf.

“This event then has been good to me over the years and of course, I miss Sherwood where we played all those years but I can’t argue with a home game this week. I get to stay in my own bed this week and my little daughter is making her tournament debut so that’s going to be special to have her this week.”

Woods wound up his preparations shooting a one under par 71 in the Pro Am and drawing plenty of interest not only from the crowd but a number of those close to Woods who walked the fairways with the 14-time Major winner including new coach, Chris Como.

And Woods was true to his competitive nature when asked if he thought he could win this week, considering he has not competed since posting a pair of 74s to miss the cut in last August’s PGA Championship in Kentucky.

“Of course I feel as though I can win or I wouldn’t have entered this week,” he said.

Woods has commanded the majority of news already this week. McDowell said he is delighted the American is back competing in what is only his 10th tournament this year.

“It’s great to see Tiger back competing but then it’s been a phenomenal year of golf with what Rory has accomplished, Rickie Fowler, Bubba and Jordan Spieth last week so there’s been enough stories without the big story that is always Tiger,” said McDowell.

“I am sure the world will be holding its breath to see how well he performs this week but then it’s great to have him back.”

Meanwhile world No. 1 Rory McIlroy was given a heroes reception when he visited Nike World HQ in Beaverton, Oregon on Tuesday. It was McIlroy’s first visit to ‘The Innovation Kitchen’, as the Head Office of the sporting giant, is affectionately known. Nearly a 1,000 Nike staff members welcomed the four-time Major winner to the company’s premises.