Hunter Mahan insists he is least intimidated by Graeme McDowell ahead of the Qatar Masters
Lanky American Hunter Mahan and Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell will again be locked in a fierce battle this week at Commercialbank Qatar Masters and will be bringing back the memories of the final round of the Ryder Cup 2010.
McDowell defeated Mahan in the final individual round at Celtic Manor to land the title for the European Team, managing what is now considered as a victory with the narrowest margins in the history of the tournament.
Mahan’s disastrous collapse, triggered the fall of the American side but the American insists he will be least intimidated playing alongside McDowell this week.
Mahan said, "Graeme and I get on very well so I'm sure we'll have a good couple of days. The Ryder Cup was a good time ago and I am now focused more on making this year's team. It was disappointing to be on that losing side so I really want to get myself on Davis Love's team to be on a winning team".
The 29-year-old American is coming out of a strong season in 2011 and an even stronger start in the opening event on PGA Tour, the Farmer’s Insurance Open in California.
He pulled in an impressive joint sixth in the tournament and vows to carry on with his improved short game for the rest of the season.
He is one of the few PGA Tour players who have flown down in Qatar at the last moment to participate in the event.
He added, "I'm coming off a good result last week. It was good to get back out there and see where my game was at because you're never too sure how you are going to perform having had so many weeks off".
Qatar Masters is scheduled to kick off today at the sprawling Doha Course, famous for the notorious Sahamal Winds which can pick an speed of up to 20mph.
Rampaging Thomas Bjorn will be pitched in a tough battle to defend his title he won last year with a blistering knock in the last three rounds.
Meanwhile, McDowell will also be hoping to kick start the season on a strong note, after having succumbed to a sloppy year in 2011.
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