There are no short cuts to becoming a champion. Even Michael Campbell, who sneaked in under the radar at Pinehurst two years ago, had served a tough apprenticeship that had taken him through as many bad times as good.

So, when Graeme McDowell experienced tough times throughout 2006, which culminated in losing his US Tour card and led to a full-time return to the European Tour, he knew the tide would turn. He never lost the faith.

Yesterday, as he strode towards the 18th tee at Oakmont, the whirring of cars from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike breaking the calm, McDowell - who secured his place in the field here via the International Qualifying at Walton Heath, the same route Campbell took in 2005 - was entitled to feel some satisfaction at the way he has re-energised his career.

For the third successive year, he'll tee it up in the US Open, and while finishes of 80th (at Pinehurst) and 48th (at Winged Foot) may not indicate that his rivals will be quaking in their Footjoys, McDowell's learning curve is one of total belief in his ability to perform on a course he assesses to be "the toughest I've ever played".

He believes the true severity of this latest US Open examination is around and on the greens. "They're treacherous," observed McDowell, of greens running at more than 13 on the stimpmetre. "You're going to have to try to keep the ball below the hole all day long, even if that means chipping off the fringes."

McDowell's rehabilitation on the European Tour this season - no victories, but he has collected four top-10s - has given him a consistency that was absent from his game last year.

Now he wants to take the next step; but he is determined not to rush. "I think every major I've played I've felt more and more comfortable. This is a tough golf course, but I am going to enjoy myself regardless this week. There is no point in beating yourself up. I know my game is good. I feel I'm playing well, and it is a matter of acclimatising, especially around the greens."

The Portrush man is staying with a friend, an Irish-American by the name of Tom O'Shane, who is a member of both Oakmont and Lake Nona, where McDowell has a house. He's been getting tips on how to play this course.

If he were given four rounds of 72, would he take them? "Four 72s? Get my name on the trophy," he quipped, before adding: "The USGA have a license to make us look very stupid if they want to. There are places where guys just won't be able to keep the ball on the green, they're so severe. These greens make Augusta look ordinary."

And, yet, McDowell believes the toughest of the set-up will suit him. "This is being billed as the toughest US Open test of all time, so it is great to be here. It's going to be a major, major challenge, but I'll be trying my hardest.

"It's funny, it is so tough out there that it actually levels the playing field. It takes the driver out of these guys' hands all the time. It is not about the guy who can just strike it around here. You've got to play well, but you have got to chip and putt your butt off as well. It is going to be a real grinding week. It is going to be the guy who is the mentally toughest. Whoever wins will have done everything pretty good."