Graeme McDowell: I can crack Troon

Graeme McDowell returns to the course where his major championship journey began in 2004, armed with a dozen years of knowledge and a belief he can finally solve The Open puzzle.

Royal Troon was the 25-year-old McDowell’s entree to golf’s top table and, alas, for the Portrush golfer it was an all-too fleeting experience. Yet the man who would win a US Open six years later enjoyed every minute of it and has a good feeling about returning here for this week’s 145th Open.

“I made my debut in a major here, in 2004. I missed the cut comfortably, I think, but it was great,” McDowell said.