Q&A with Graeme McDowell

Yeah I’ve got quite a decent record at Tigers event over the years!  2^nd in 2009, then my playoff win over Tiger in 2010 was probably the perfect end to a perfect year.  Unfortunately I didn’t get to play in 2011 as I had other commitments that week, but it was nice to return to Sherwood in 2012 and end my year with what was my only win of the season.

I’ve always enjoyed the course, it’s fun to play and I’m looking forward to getting back there. I’m a decent driver of the ball, usually quite accurate off the tee, and it’s important to drive the ball well at Sherwood. If that part of your game is on, then there is definitely a low score for the taking.

But it’s a great event to be a part of, always has a very strong field with decent world ranking points up for grabs.  And of course there is the great work done by Tiger for his charitable Foundation. So for me, it’s certainly a perfect way to end the year.

You had a very memorable head-to-head win against Tiger in 2010 at his tournament. Is it important for players to earn Tiger’s respect or do you think about it that way?

That was a fun end to 2010 alright.  Tiger and I had a great tussle and I sunk two big putts on 18. I made some great putts that year and it was a fitting end to the season.

As for earning Tigers respect? No, I don’t think about it that way. There are so many great players out on Tour, and no matter who you are we all respect each other.  And I’ve no doubt that Tiger is any different.  Any player can beat any other on any given day, we all respect that, but of course on an individual level, you need to believe that you’re good enough to beat anyone.

Most US fans became aware of you after the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. Is still hard to believe just how much changed after the win for you?

My life certainly changed after that Sunday in June, that’s for sure.  I became a little more recognizable, but I don’t think it was a massive transformation by any means.  I was on the pro scene eight years at that stage, had won a few tournaments, played in a Ryder Cup, so it’s not as if I was new to the scene. But yeah, when I’m in restaurants, airports, people do recognize me more these days. It’s a nice problem to have and reminds me that I must be doing something right!

You have such a great personality and we may have never seen it without that major win. Who on the PGA Tour or European Tour is somebody that the public would enjoy, but hasn’t won and had the exposure to the press and fans?

I’d like to think you’ve had seen me regardless of my win at Pebble!  I’m not sure if you’re solely referring to players who are without a Major win?  There are many great players who haven’t but have still enjoyed serious exposure to the press and fans.  Look at Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Dustin Johnson and the likes, all popular characters in the field at Sherwood. You don’t have to have won a Major in order to be a hit with the fans.

But someone who the US fans in particular might not be overly familiar with, is a good friend of mine, Shane Lowry. Shane has won twice on the European Tour, including the Irish Open in 2009 while still an amateur. Fans in the US had their first real taste of Shane at the WGC Accenture Match Play last February. He beat Rory in the 1^st round which obviously made the headlines, then he beat Carl Pettersson before Shane and I met each other in the last 16! Thankfully I came out top on that occasion, but yeah, I think Shane would be a big hit with the US fans. He’s a quality player and real fun to be around too, you’d enjoy him.

Last season you went from a missed cut at the Masters to a win at the RBC Heritage. How do you explain that type of turnaround in one week?

It was a funny season for me in that regard.  I went from missed cuts to wins on more than one occasion, but we all know golf is a funny game sometimes.  It’s hard to explain, but at Augusta this year I was trying to be too perfect, wanting it too badly.  So I was in a way over-prepared.

The next week at Hilton Head I had family and friends with me. I went to the course, warmed up and got straight on with it. I don’t think I hit a ball after my round that week. I just let it flow and enjoyed my week. I think there is a lesson in that.

But I work hard on my game, and always will, so I’m not saying that the answer is just to take it easy all week and the wins will come. No, but it’s a matter of finding the right balance.  

You have done a great job of playing both tours, but do you ever see yourself choosing to concentrate on just one in the future or are you more comfortable playing both?

I put a lot of thought into my schedule each year and am happy with how it has played out over the last few seasons.  Both the PGA and European Tours do a great job of putting together quality schedules with well sponsored events during difficult economic times. I like to support both tours as best I can and will continue to do so.

Recently Ernie Els had a problem with the European Tour’s new regulation that members must play two of the three events leading into Dubai to be eligible for the season finale. Did you have a similar opinion?

Yeah, it’s a difficult situation and no system is perfect.  The FedEx Cup certainly took four, five, six years to establish itself to get its format, rules and regulations correct.  So I think The European Tour should be granted some time to get this thing right.  The two from three was designed to try and get the best fields possible for the three weeks, and I get that.  It doesn’t suit everyone but like I say, this will take a little bit of time find its feet and establish itself.

What are some of your 2014 goals?

Well it’s a Ryder Cup year, so first and foremost I want to ensure I’m on Paul McGinley’s team at Gleneagles next September.  If I do make that team, then I’ll have had a good season up to that point, and hopefully that would include a win or two also.

I didn’t have my best performances this year at the Majors, so I’ll be hoping to improve on those in 2014, but yeah, the Ryder Cup is number one at the minute.

Last year Rory McIlroy had a tough season after switching brands and clubs to Nike. How carefully do you work with Cleveland Golf to get your equipment perfect?

The guys at Srixon & Cleveland golf are great to work with.  I’ve played on and off with their equipment since my early college days and recently extended my contract with them, so I’m delighted to remain part of the Srixon and Cleveland Golf family for the years to come.

I’ve a full bag of their equipment now and it’s exceptional, from driver right down to the ball. Their team has worked tirelessly with me over the years, ensuring I have everything I need and more, so I’m delighted to keep that relationship going and hopefully we enjoy many more wins together.

With the new PGA Tour qualifying regulations, we have seen more US college players attempting to gain entry into the European Tour and even saw Peter Uihlein capture Rookie of the Year honors. Is this good for the European Tour and how will more US players be accepted?

There is so much raw talent out there that it’s great for any Tour to have these guys competing to play in them.  If the European Tour’s q-school gives some of the US guys a chance to get out on Tour, then great. Golf is a global game with so many players competing for few spots on various Tours. The more opportunities to play on them the better, and if a player is good enough to play on a Tour he will be accepted with open arms!

You opened a restaurant Nona Blue outside Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla. Dis you always want to own a restaurant?

I became interested in the restaurant business a few years ago, through a fantastic restaurant called The Winebar, in my home town of Portrush. It’s a great place, great food, drink, excellent atmosphere and very well run.   I like it so much that I almost became involved as an investor.  But I’m now a part Nona Blue in Orlando and it’s something I really enjoy being involved with.  It’s right beside my home at Lake Nona, and I get to spend a lot of time there, having meetings with the guys, bringing friends out for food and of course just enjoying the whole bar.

We have a great team running the restaurant on a day to day basis and we’ve performed very well since we opened in March, so I’m looking forward to watching it grow. Make sure you pop in when next in Orlando!

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