Graeme McDowell has eye on prize after finding key again

After a season in the doldrums, Graeme McDowell will embark on his 12th Open Championship having turned something of a corner with his game and slowly rebuilding the belief he can once again contend at the highest level.

Back-to-back rounds of 66 to get his Scottish Open under way at Gullane last week added another level of confidence to the 2010 US Open champion’s arsenal as he attempts to realign his happiness off the golf course with some much-needed success on it.

McDowell’s delight at starting a family with wife Kristin understandably moved golf down the list of priorities when daughter Vale Esme was born last August and now the 35-year-old is gradually finding his way back to putting his career goals into sharper focus once again. Those 66s have been a huge help, McDowell leaving Gullane feeling he had played his best golf of the year last Thursday and Friday, even if he eventually faded to 31st place by Sunday evening.