Hanafin leads tributes to Major champion McDowell

Sports Minister Mary Hanafin led tributes to US Open winner Graeme McDowell today.

The Portrush native became the first Irishman in history to take the prestigious title, and the first European in 40 years.

Ms Hanafin said McDowell had put in several stunning rounds as he became only the third golfer from Ireland to win a major, following Padraig Harrington and Fred Daly.

“Graeme put in a stunning performance throughout the weekend and managed to lead or share the lead for the final two days of the tournament,” the minister said.

“Being the first European in 40 years and the first Irishman ever to win this prestigious major title is a marvellous achievement for Graeme and is a testament to his dedication, commitment and the long hours of practice put in by professional golfers.

“Well done Graeme, your victory has lifted the spirits of Irish people and I am sure will add to the excitement for golfers as they look forward to the Ryder Cup in Wales in October.”

Ms Hanafin added: “Graeme’s victory at the US Open Golf places him among the icons of golf such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Hale Irwin and Ernie Els.”

Only Lee Westwood now stands ahead of new McDowell in the race for places in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

A week ago McDowell was not even amongst the top nine who earn automatic spots in Colin Montgomerie’s side at the end of August.

Italian Francesco Molinari, who missed the halfway cut at Pebble Beach, is the one to be pushed out of the top nine and he drops to 11th just behind Padraig Harrington.

Latest leading positions in the European Ryder Cup table after the US Open (top four on world list qualify, then next five on European points list. Captain Colin Montgomerie adds three wild cards on August 29):

WORLD POINTS

1 LEE WESTWOOD 358.7, 2 GRAEME McDOWELL 235.6, 3 RORY McILROY 224.8, 4 IAN POULTER 206.5, 5 Luke Donald 198.0, 6 Padraig Harrington 168.8, 7 Martin Kaymer 155.4, 8 Edoardo Molinari 144.7, 9 Justin Rose 137.2, 10 Rhys Davies 131.7

EUROPEAN POINTS

1 Lee Westwood 2,816,325, 2 Ian Poulter 2,157,025, 3 Graeme McDowell 2,135,603, 4 Rory McIlroy 1,462,754, 5 ROSS McGOWAN 1,344,158, 6 MARTIN KAYMER 1,309,449, 7 LUKE DONALD 1,104,038, 8 SIMON DYSON 1,079,675, 9 ALVARO QUIROS 1,058,335, 10 Padraig Harrington 1,051,233

(Capitals denote players in qualifying positions)