GOLF AUSTRIAN OPEN:US OPEN champion Graeme McDowell admits he is rusty after a month-long break but hopes to tune up for next month's Ryder Cup with a good performance this week.
The Northern Irishman tees off in the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg today – his only competitive event before appearing at Celtic Manor.
McDowell accepts his game may not be in top shape but his mind is refreshed, having had to get used to the demands placed on a major winner after his victory at Pebble Beach nearly three months ago.
“Since the USPGA Championship I’ve had four weeks’ rest after a very busy spring and summer,” McDowell said.
“I needed some rest and time away from the game but now I need to play some competitive golf before the Ryder Cup to sharpen up and get back into the groove of competition.
“I’ve averaged about 30 minutes of practice each day – the last month has been about getting my head refreshed.
“From now until the end of the season I will be working very hard so it was important to recharge my batteries.”
The 31-year-old told his personal website graememcdowell.com: “Although I have not played competitively since Whistling Straits over four weeks ago, I am hoping I will be sharp enough to compete here this week.
“Obviously my game will be rusty, but like every tournament I enter, I am here to win.
“After this week, my next sample of competitive golf will be standing on the first tee at Celtic Manor at the Ryder Cup, so I am hoping that four decent rounds here will have me in good shape come of October 1st.”
McDowell has been overtaken as leader of the Race to Dubai, which will determine Europe’s number one golfer, by Martin Kaymer after he won the USPGA.
The German’s win at the KLM Open last week extended his advantage at the top to €498,483 and even victory for McDowell at the Diamond Country Club this week would only make a dent of €125,000.
Fellow Ryder Cup team-mate Miguel Angel Jimenez is also in the field in Austria as he goes looking for his fourth victory of the season, having already won in Dubai, France and Switzerland.
The Lowdown
Course: Diamond Country Club, Atzenbrugg, Austria.
Length: 7,242 yards. Par: 72.
Prize-money: €750,000 (€125,000 for winner).
Field: 156.
Irish contingent: Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy.
Layout: The tournament has moved to a new venue this year, designed by English architect Jeremy Pern. The course features water hazards on nine holes, including two par-threes, the 11th and 15th which have island greens. The par-fives (six, seven, 10 and 13) are the pick-up holes, along with three short part-fours (four, 12 and 16), but the tricked-up, water hazard-strewn course will demand sound management and is likely to cause some difficulties.
Defending champion: Spain's Rafael Cabrera Bello.
On TV:Live on Sky Sports all four days, starting at 10am today
Weather forecast: Showers are likely for the first two days, along with light breezes. A clearer Saturday with no breeze will give a chance to post some low scores, but the rain is set to return on Sunday.
