A change of mindset ahead of his first win in four years last week has afforded Graeme McDowell the opportunity to prevent fellow Ryder Cup hopefuls from getting the jump on him.
The Portrush golfer won at the European Tour's Ballantine's Championship in South Korea on Sunday and earned himself a last-minute invitation to the World Golf Championships event starting in Miami tomorrow.
The high-ranking event is his chance to keep up the momentum and ensure that he will not be commentating on the Ryder Cup like he was when it came to the K Club in 2006. While he was happy to see Europe triumph, McDowell admits feeling low when contributing to BBC's coverage of the event.
"I felt flat and disappointed inside. That was a little kick in the backside, the turning point as far as mentally dedicating myself and putting a two-year plan into place," he said in Miami today.
The Ulsterman finally has some continuity around him now, thanks to a series of changes over the last two years that culminated in last week's victory.
"It's been nice to get a good structure around me. The last two years I've got a new caddie, new coach, new management company, started working with my old sports psychologist and re-dedicated myself in the gym.
"It's been a frustrating past six months, giving myself a chance to win (and not closing the deal)," he continued. "I realised I was perhaps trying too hard.
"I had a bit of a mental shift last week, just trying a little less to care what was going on. Four years since I last won, it was a big relief to do it on Sunday.
"Last week opened a lot of doors, keeping me competing in the big events. I would hate to be sitting at home watching this on TV.
"World Golf Championships is probably the wrong title but outside the four majors these events are probably the next most important financially, and getting a chance to play against the best players in the world especially on the Ryder cup year.
"I don't want to give the guys I'm trying to compete with to make the Ryder Cup team too much of a headstart."
