Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, is relishing his return to major golf this week at Shinnecock Hills after a six-year absence. The 46-year-old Northern Irishman, who once made 34 consecutive major appearances, will tee it up with his nine-year-old son Wills watching.
"I wasn't sure I was ever going to get to show him me out here playing in it with the old hourglass, the sands of time continue to deplete if you like," McDowell said. "There's a large appreciation for me being here this time at a major. At a point in my career, these were automatic and when they get taken away from you, you realise how much you miss them and appreciate the opportunity to be on golf's biggest stages."
McDowell secured his spot at Shinnecock through a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas last month. He now faces one of the toughest tests in golf, with strong winds forecast. He missed the cut at the same venue in 2018 alongside fellow countryman Rory McIlroy.
"You must drive it well. The fairways are generous but if you miss them, you're in trouble," said the LIV Golf player. "The greens, you have to be very disciplined with some and some will give you chances, so you have to know where to miss and when you do miss, you have to be creative. The bunkers are interesting with a lot of stones and shells in them, but there is a little bit of everything in this golf course that will test the patience and every department of the skill-set."
McDowell's last win came at the 2020 Saudi International. He hasn't made a major cut since the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. This week marks his first major since that event.