McDowell’s Scottish Open win secures Ryder Cup slot
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Portrush golfer Graeme McDowell who won the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and in doing so moved up the Ryder Cup standings from tenth to sixth place.
GRAEME MCDOWELL moved himself into major contention for a Ryder Cup place at the weekend when his two shot victory in the Scottish Open and Loch Lomond moved him from tenth to sixth place on the Ryder Cup standings, move to second in the European Order of Merit and saw him leap from 59th to 29th in the world rankings.
Handling the pressure, the Portrush man shot a closing round of 68 which saw him finish the tournament on 13 under par, two ahead of South African James Kingston, and all but secure his place in Europe's Ryder Cup team for September's trip to the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
McDowell, who finished third in last week's European Open, hit the greens with his irons with unerring accuracy and he capitalised on his playing partner Simon Khan's slip after two double bogeys in the last six holes cost the Englishman the lead, McDowell carding three consecutive birdies to move into a lead he never relinquished as he wrapped up his second European Tour win of the season and the fourth of his career, banking a cool £500,000 in the process.
Speaking after his tremendous victory Graeme commented: "This is just unbelievable, it really was a tough weekend's golf and it is a massive relief.
""It really was a tough weekend's golf with such a stacked field. It's a massive relief. It's one of the toughest finishes in European golf. I managed to get through those last three holes and I don't think I've shaken as much as that before in my life, Those were proper nerves. I have never had a two-shot lead coming up the last in a professional tournament and I have to say I much prefer it to the playoffs and the stress and drama I normally put my mum (Marian) and dad (Kenny) through and it's great to have them here. Having my mum, dad and family here, it's pretty special, I have to say.
"My dad first put a club in my hand aged seven and he's been with me for 20 years, through thick and thin. He just retired last Friday. This is my retirement present to him."
