McDowell looks back on lost opportunity

Irish golfer Graeme McDowell was left to rue a number of missed opportunities after finishing runner-up at the Volvo China Open on Sunday, despite being the only player to break par for all four rounds.

McDowell shot a final-round 69 in more benign conditions than the previous three days at Shanghai Silport GC to share a tie for second place with Australian Scott Hend and South Africa’s Andrew McLardy.

Overnight leader Markus Brier posted a 67 to finish with a 10-under-par score of 284 and comfortably claim the second European Tour victory of his career by a comfortable five-stroke margin.

McDowell, 27, was still satisfied with his return to competitive golf after a five-week lay-off, however.

Although he was disappointed not to provide more of a challenge to the Austrian over the final day, McDowell felt he could still take plenty of positives from his first tournament since ending the Johnny Walker Classic in a tie for 60th place at the beginning of March.

“I would have liked to have put Markus (Brier) under a bit of pressure,” he said.

“I didn’t quite hit it close enough and kept leaving myself 15 to 20 foot putts instead of ones of 10 feet. I just couldn’t get it going in the right direction.

“But I hit the golf ball lovely today so I can’t really complain.

“To have five weeks off and come straight back with a good finish, that’s pretty pleasing.”

McDowell headed into the final round trailing Brier by three strokes after consecutive scores of 70 over the previous three days of competition.

And after sinking a birdie at the par-four second hole to close that deficit to two, it appeared the man from Portrush was ready to make his move.

But the putter was to prove McDowell’s nemesis as despite a number of opportunities, he did not pick up another shot until the final hole after a run of 15 straight pars.

“I birdied the second and had some good chances after that,” he added.

“But I missed a 10-footer on the fifth, which I though I had made, and then three-putted the eighth, which was a killer.

“It was a frustrating week in some ways but I hit the ball progressively better as the week went on, so that was good.

“I am doing so many good things and I am very happy with my game, so I can’t be disappointed.”

Brier triumphed in convincing fashion after the foundations for victory were laid on Saturday evening when three birdies in his closing three holes took the 38-year-old to the top of the leaderboard.

Birdies at the second and third extended his lead over the chasing pack on Sunday and although playing partner Hend, who started the day a shot back, was still in contention at the turn as he trailed the leader by two strokes at seven under par.

Dropping shots at the 10th and 11th effectively scuppered the Australian’s chances and he eventually needed a birdie at the last just to pull level with McDowell and McLardy.

That left the way clear for Brier to cruise to victory as a solid back nine was capped by his only birdie at the 18th.

And the Austrian was delighted to have now tasted success outside of his homeland after capturing a maiden title in Vienna in June of last year.

“It makes me feel an even better player as previously I had home advantage and the crowd were behind me,” he said. “It was the next step.”

Brier’s final round of four under par was built on the back of some excellent long putting from the outset and he felt that proved the difference all week.

“The start was really important,” he added.

“Those first three putts got me into a rhythm and I didn’t look back. The start calmed me down a bit.

“I didn’t hit a fairway until the eighth but I holed some tight putts. That was the key. I didn’t really hit it close this week but made a lot of distance putts on the green.”

Hend was less pleased with his closing effort.

“I’m disappointed I played the back nine in two over par,” he said.

“If I’d finished a shot behind, I’d have been satisfied.

“I’m pretty unhappy but I hope to digest it and I’m sure I’ll be over it after a couple of beers tonight.”