US OPEN CHAMPION Graeme McDowell looked to be in good form on Sunday as he tied the course record at the Honda Classic.

The Ulsterman was well off the pace at the start of the final day having lost ground to the leaders with his disappointing opening round of 73.

But a six-under-par 64 saw him shoot up the field at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, eventually finishing tied for sixth place on two-under. A missed eagle putt on the 18th after a wonderful approach shot meant G-Mac just missed his chance to set the course record outright.

It was a perfect yardage for me (into 18) you know. I have a 3-hybrid in the bag which I fly about 215 and I had 230 to the pin, which coming in downwind was a perfect cut shot for me. It came in really soft for me.

McDowell played the Bear Trap, PGA National’s infamous stretch from 15-17, in one-under-par for the week. The field average was was four-over. A 35-foot putt on the 17th was the highlight of McDowell’s final round..

To make a bomb on number 17 like that was pretty special. To play the Bear Trap in one under for the week, I was very pleased with that and was also happy with my short game. I have no complaints.

The Ulsterman’s form is a welcome boost ahead of this week’s WGC-Cadillac Championship on the Blue Monster course in Doral, Florida, followed by next month’s Masters in Augusta.

The tournament was eventually won by South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini ahead of former USPGA champion Y.E. Yang. The Korean got to within a shot of the overnight leader, but Sabbatini held his nerve to finish on nine-under and claim his first title in almost two years.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy capped a frustrating week with a disappointing 75. The youngster never really got going after a 73 on Thursday, falling foul of the Bear Trap on Saturday when he lost six shots over the three holes.