MAJOR WINNER GRAEME McDowell says he is targeting a return to golf’s top table despite a barren few years and a slump to number 91 in the world.
Speaking ahead of this week’s Qatar Masters, the 2010 US Open winner, who was once ranked as high as number four in the world, admitted his recent form has not been “good enough”.
“My on-course performance has not been… good enough the last few years,” the 37-year-old told reporters.
“I guess coming to the start of the next few years, I’ve tried to view it as a long road back toward the top of the game.
“That’s where I want to be again, give myself chances to win major championships again. I know I’ve got a lot of things to work on.”
The Northern Irishman, now based in Florida with a young family, has not won a tournament on the European Tour in almost three years.
He also missed out on selection for last year’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, and said he was desperate to be back in the team for 2018.
“I think that certainly was a big week for me to sit at home and watch that.
“It was very motivating, very inspiring. When I look to France to 2018, a golf course which I love, I certainly want to be there, that’s for sure.”
Despite his loss in form in recent years, McDowell still remains one of the biggest attractions at this week’s tournament in a field which includes rising stars such as Alex Noren and Tommy Fleetwood as well as veterans Ernie Els and Jose Maria Olazabal.
Also playing is the European team’s 2018 Ryder Cup captain, Thomas Bjorn.
This year is the 20th edition of the Qatar Masters, which is part of the European Tour’s “Desert Swing”, which sees tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as Qatar, in the first two months of the season.
Past winners in Doha include Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia.
This year, players will battle it out for a $416,660 first prize.
The 2017 tournament is finishing for the first time on a Sunday, rather than Saturday to coincide with the final day of the weekend in the Gulf, to try and bump up global television audiences.
– Headline updated at 11.07am
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Nice signing. Ulster are building up a nice relationship with the brumbies. A sneaky move for Pocock after the World Cup wouldn’t be the worst thing.
@Jim Demps: I’m sure your saying that tongue in cheek (the move for Pocock). Already 2 NIQ no.8′s (Botha Munster, Coetzee Ulster) and not sure about J.Butler (is he a project player), so one would have to go. Of course Munster might be accommodated… different rules apply ;-)
@Michael Kiernan: I know Coetzee plays 8 for ulster a lot but I’d say he was signed as a 6. Certainly he played most of his South African rugby at 6 and 7. As for butler I’m unsure.
@Michael Kiernan: and yes it was tongue in cheek, I can’t see Pocock going anywhere.
@Michael Kiernan: Those rules don’t apply anymore. Signings made on a case by case basis
@Eddie Hekenui: was unaware of that. Source?. I highly doubt Nucifora/IRFU will allow more than 2 signings of NIE in any position. Say if Munster sign a NIE 8 Ulster have one, then no more NIE 8s would be allowed.
@Michael Kiernan: There’s no direct source. But if you look at what the rules were, signings since Nucifora took over and everything he has said in interviews about signings it’s pretty clear. Everything they do is done on a case by case basis. There’s no point tying yourself down to arbitrary rules and that’s why Irish rugby has been successful since he joined. They look at the broader picture and go from there.
There are already a host of NIQ backrows in Ireland. Munster have Cloete and Botha, Ulster have Coetzee and had Deysel while Connacht have Bulter and Fainga’a. Under the old rules Leinster couldn’t sign an outside back when they had Nacewa but they signed Lowe.
@Michael Kiernan: There’s no direct source. But if you look at what the rules were, signings since Nucifora took over and everything he has said in interviews about signings it’s pretty clear. Everything they do is done on a case by case basis. There’s no point tying yourself down to arbitrary rules and that’s why Irish rugby has been successful since he joined. They look at the broader picture and go from there.
There are already a host of NIQ backrows in Ireland. Munster have Cloete and Botha, Ulster have Coetzee and had Deysel while Connacht have Bulter and Fainga’a. Under the old rules Leinster couldn’t sign an outside back when they had Nacewa but they signed Lowe.
Great News! He will be a great addition to the squad.
Great addition, Faddes as well, just need a LH and retain Coetzee and thats us set for next season.
@Kingshu: another backrow aswell, but never going to happen
@Kingshu: I heard that coetzee is not staying
@Patrick Corrigan: i heard its still in talks. He respects the way Ulster stood by him with the injuries, but is two caps off the SA limit for picking overseas players. Think if Rassie says he’s ok he will say, but have his agent use it to get the best contact he can. If Rassie says he needs the caps and its WC year who knows.
I hope he has some thermals !
Not great for Leinsters chances of retaining Fardy; whom I’m assuming Leinster would like to keep. Screwed over before by the IRFU with Hines. Could it be happening again.
@Michael Kiernan: really dont see the rational for blocking Fardy though. Irish rugby has the best stock of second rows we’ve ever had and ultimately he isnt overly blocking that development woth each Province supplying!
@Zealot: Ya, I agree. Plus, I dont think Botha will be still here when his contract at Munster is up. Hes here to cover WC absence and post WC rest periods.