Golf

Graeme McDowell looks to continue record in Tiger challenge

Rookie of the year Jordan Spieth the lone debutant in California

Graeme McDowell has won event twice (2010 and 2012) and finished second in 2009. Photograph: Brandon Malone/Reuters
Graeme McDowell has won event twice (2010 and 2012) and finished second in 2009. Photograph: Brandon Malone/Reuters
Wed Dec 04 2013 - 20:04

Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell will look to continue his brilliant record in the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge in California this week.

In three appearances in the event McDowell has won it twice (2010 and 2012) and finished second in 2009, but the Northern Irishman faces a tough battle to retain his title.

Ten of the 18 competitors in the field have won at least one major title – including of course tournament host Tiger Woods – while McDowell will also have to beat a resurgent friend and compatriot Rory McIlroy, who finally claimed his first victory of 2013 in the Australian Open last week.

Overhauled leader
McIlroy began the final round in Sydney four shots behind Adam Scott, but overhauled the Masters champion with a closing 66, including a birdie on the 72nd hole as Scott bogeyed.

Scott had been looking to become only the second man, after compatriot Robert Allenby in 1995, to complete the Australian triple crown, having won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters titles last month.

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PGA Tour rookie of the year Jordan Spieth is the lone debutant in California after replacing Brandt Snedeker (who withdrew with a knee injury), the 20-year-old having enjoyed a brilliant 2013 campaign.

First teenager
Spieth became the first teenager in more than 80 years to win on the PGA Tour when he defeated Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a play-off for the John Deere Classic in July, going on to finish eighth in the FedEx Cup with earnings of almost £2.5million.

“It’s great to look back at what happened to be in this scenario and learn from the positives,” Spieth told a pre-tournament press conference. “But all in all, I think the way to have success this year is to not dwell too much on the past.

"Each year I think going back to when I was 12 years old, I've improved. My dad... a big thing for him was to say just try to look back at each month and see if you got a little better each month at something." Spieth is now targeting success in Major championships and added: "I know what it feels like right now down the stretch at a tour event. I have a feeling it will be a little different kind of pressure in a Major championship.

Learn from experiences
"Nobody knows what it's like unless you've been in it. The only way to get better is to put myself there and learn from the experiences."

The tournament benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, which announced last month that the event will mark its 16th year in 2014 by relocating to Orlando’s Isleworth Golf and Country Club.