Graeme McDowell hoping to repeat history starting from Wales Open at Celtic Manor
Leading Northern Irish Golfer, Graeme McDowell will be hoping to reinvent his victory at the Celtic Manor Resort in Surrey this week, as he would be teeing-off for the Wales Open to defend his title.
Last year proved to be the “king of all years” for the Irishman when he overtook one field after another to record two consecutive wins; one of them being the US Open at Congressional. McDowell barged into top ten in the world rankings with the coveted major
win last year and is still number five in Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Wales Open at Celtic Manor Resort acts more like a launching pad for the main event at Congressional in June and McDowell considers his win at Wales Open last year as the most important single factor which influenced his victory in the US Open afterwards.
"Hopefully, I can use this week as the same kind of catalyst as I did last year. Win, or don't win, hopefully I can try to kick on from here and have a great season," said McDowell. "Winning here last year was huge for my confidence. The 36 holes I played
here on the weekend was probably still some of the best golf I have played in my life."
The task, however, will be far from easy.
Tiger Woods' departure from the top ten in world ranking after recording the longest haul in history, has made the sport more evenly poised. The top slot is regularly challenged by the top five players in the world rankings and currently Luke Donald holds
the number one spot after his stellar win at BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Martin Kaymer of Germany took the coveted title from Lee Westwood in February when he qualified for the final of WGC Accenture Match Play Championship at Tucson. Westwood, who had snatched the top slot from Woods some 17 months ago, regained the top spot
from Kaymer with his back to back wins on Asian Tour.
McDowell is well aware of the challenging field at this year’s Wales Open but remains hopeful of his defense strategy tailored out for the event.
"I have good memories of this place," said the 30-year-old Northern Ireland star. "Coming over the top of the hill this morning, it was raining, so it was quite familiar!"
McDowell had just closed his round at the PowerPlay Golf at Celtic Manor where he participated more with the intention of reconnecting with the course after a long pause. The newly designed nine-hole format of the sport was played at specified holes on the
Twenty Ten Course. The participants included the likes of Ian Woosnam, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, while ladies golfers included Paula Creamer, Helen Alfredsson and Caroline Hedwall among the 12 player field.
Hedwall eventually won the title to collect £100,000 as the winner’s share and revealed that she would be donating half of it to Swedish Golf Federation.
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