McDowell vows to get to head of problem

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell has had a bit of a shock even before his defence of the Telecom Italian Open begins tomorrow.

The 25-year-old, one of Europe’s rising stars, was practising at Castello di Tolcinasco near Milan when the head of his driver came flying off.

“It must have taken a bit of a knock in my flight bag,” said McDowell.

“I had hit two shots with it and was about to hit a third. I knew there was something strange looking at the head, but decided to hit it anyway and the head was about 100 yards away before I knew it.

“I’m off to speak to the TaylorMade guys right now. I think we can repair it. I’m not sure we will get the exact same driver built up, but I will get one I am happy with.

“It’s the driver I’ve been using the last couple of months and it was not nice.”

McDowell beat France’s Thomas Levet at the fourth hole of a play-off on the same course last year – rain cut the event to 54 holes – but gave arguably the best performance of his career this March.

Invited to take part in the Bay Hill Invitational on the US Tour, the former Walker Cup star fired a best-of-the-day closing 66 and took a share of second place with Vijay Singh.

It catapulted him into the world’s top 50 and into the Masters – and created a happy dilemma because it has opened a lot of doors on the US Tour.

“I want to play a lot more in America, but I want to be a worldwide player. I don’t ever want to give up my card in Europe.

“I’m playing 50-50 at the moment and feel physically able to at the moment. When I don’t feel I can do that any more I will have to make decisions. But right now I’m happy.

“Obviously I want to play well in the majors and prime my game for next year and the Ryder Cup.”

McDowell just missed out on a debut last year, but it will surprise nobody if he is part of Ian Woosnam’s side at the K Club.

There is a team competition before then – the Seve Trophy between Colin Montgomerie’s Britain and Ireland and Seve Ballesteros’ Continental Europe in September.

“It would be my first professional team event. I think it would be a nice event to play.

“It’s not a specific goal, but if I make the team it would be nice. It’s a bit of a get-together before the Ryder Cup.”

McDowell’s rise in the world rankings make him favourite this week, although he can expect a challenge from former 1989 Open champion Mark Calcavecchia, who is combining his first appearance in the event with getting married again tomorrow.