Golf:Graeme McDowell missed out on his first win since May 2010 last night when a resurgent Tiger Woods ended his 30-month drought at Bay Hill, but with the US Masters looming the Northern Irishman delivered a hugely positive assessment of his game afterwards.
McDowell was one behind playing partner Woods heading into the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida, but his challenge was over almost as soon as it began yesterday after a double- bogeyed at the first left him trailing by three.
The Portrush golfer went on to card a 74 as Woods drove home the advantage with a final round of 69 for a five-stroke win. However, McDowell was game throughout and carded birdies at three and 11, while there was massive putt at the sixth for an eagle.
With the US Masters just two weeks away, after this weekend's Shell Houston Open, he believes his game is in good shape and the 2010 US Open champion has taken only positives from the weekend.
“I'm very excited with my game,” he said last night. “Second place finish at a big event really sets up my spring season into the summer. I felt my game bubbling under the surface nicely and I'm very happy with a lot of the golf shots I've hit this week.
"I've putted well, and every facet of my game is in decent shape and I'm excited about Houston next week and on to Augusta. I'm not going to be disappointed. [I] got beaten by the better man today and I'll take some good thoughts into next week.”
Nevertheless, McDowell feels it was his mistakes rather than Woods’s brilliance that lost it for him
“You know, plugging into the right trap on one and making double was just not the start I had in mind. I let him get ahead of me early and he was very tough to get close to after that. Some good stuff today mixed in with some mistakes.”
“I hit a lot of quality iron shots, I'm very proud of myself the way I hung in there this week. This is a tough golf course, and like I say, it's a great warm-up for Augusta, because this is a very major-like golf course.”
He added: “I feel like I can compete any week I tee it up now and that's the key really going into next week and going into Augusta. I'm excited about the next couple of weeks' golf and happy where I'm at right now.”
The Irishman is also glad to see Tiger back in the winner’s circle, even if it was at his expense this time round.
“I think he really just kind of nailed home his come back. Great to have a front row seat watching maybe the greatest of all time doing what he does best, winning golf tournaments. Of course, I believed I had a chance today, but I just never really got close enough to the guy.
"He played well today and deserves his win, and you know, great to have him back winning tournaments. I think he's great for the world of golf, and great for the excitement levels and the atmosphere and TV and fans, and great for this game.”
