Golf Update: Graeme McDowell ready for the Austrian Open
US Open Champion Graeme McDowell is getting ready to shine at The Austrian Open at Diamond Country club this week. During his game, he is also hoping to get in a good position for the Ryder cup. The European star hasn’t played since the USPGA Championship
at Whistling Straits. That game and his play offs in Vienna will be the only competitive golf McDowell will get before the Ryder Cup in October. The Ulsterman made late adjustments to this schedule in order to play the Austrian Open.
Ranked number fourteen, Graeme was the first European to win the US Open. His victory came two weeks after the Wales open win at Celtic Manor with 64-63 finish. This was his debut singles win over Stewart Cink. Graeme says that he enjoys coming to Austria
and seems to play well in the county; he really hopes this week is not an exception. In the five tournaments after his big win, the Irishman’s was 21st at the Scottish Open. At the U.S PGA Championship which was his last event, he missed the cut
by two shots.
Graeme does accept that his game is not in the best shape at the moment. Graeme went through a hectic time at Pebble Beach in June after which he had his big victory. He explains that he has had four weeks rest since the USPGA Championship. He also said
that he did require some relaxation time and to be away from golf for a while. However, with the Ryder Cup approaching he thinks it’s only wise to ‘sharpen up and get back into the groove of the competition.’ Stating he has only had half an hour of practice
each day, Graeme reasoned that he used the previous month to revive his head.
"After this week, my next sample of competitive golf will be standing on the first tee at Celtic Manor at the Ryder Cup, so I am hoping that four decent rounds here will have me in good shape come of October 1," said McDowell.
“Obviously my game will be rusty, but like every tournament I enter, I am here to win.”
McDowell had his number one position taken over by the USPGA Golf Champion Martin Kaymer. Right now Kaymer is ahead by €498,484 mainly due to his four stroke victory in 2010 KLM Dutch Open. Even if McDowell is victorious in Austria this week, it would only
add on €104,000 to his sum.
Side by Side in the Austrian open, Ryder cup team mate Miguel Angel Jimenez will be teeing off with McDowell on Thursday. Due to the condition of their game, the players have contrasting views about the Open. Where McDowell wants to rediscover his amazing
skills, Jimenez wishes to keep the sold form which has earned him three titles this year. Having won the European Masters and the French Open, Jimenez who is the eldest in the Ryder team doesn’t think that he needs any rest before going to Wales. Victorious
in Dubai, France and Switzerland, Jimenez hopes to lift a trophy in Austria as well.
The Austrian golfer Markus Brier will also be playing. The home support is guaranteed for Brier who will be attempting to win the Austrian Open for the fourth time now. Two of his victories came when the event was part of the Challenge Tour. In 2006, Markus
won the tournament for the third time and became the first Austrian champion in European Tour. Having played at the Diamond Course ten times, it can be said that Brier has an upper hand in the game.
The Austrian Open started in 1990 and remained a part of the European tour for seven years. After which, it dropped down to the Challenge tour schedule from 1997 till 2005 with decreasing prize money. This year the prize money has been reduced by a significant
€1,300,000 as well.
For the players however, money seems to come secondary as all of those competing are enthusiastic to tee off. It’s a close call between the leading golfers of the world. With Jimenez, Brier, McDowell and many others playing, we just have to wait and see
who takes the trophy home.
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