Rathmore's Graeme McDowell is determined to make it third time lucky on his home debut in the Murphy's Irish Open this week.

The Ulsterman has already made two appearances in professional events and missed the cut.

On his official professional debut in last week's Great North Open at Slaley Hall he missed by two shots after rounds of 77 and 72

Like his great mate Michael Hoey, 22-year-old McDowell will be trying to make a name for himself at Fota Island

But he will also be looking to Hoey for guidance as he takes his first steps into the professional arena.

"Mike is a good friend of mine. We grew up playing in the same events, from Ulster boys to youths and the Interprovincial team and the Walker Cup side.

"We've been on the phone to each other all week about different things and it will be great to have him out there on tour," said McDowell.

"We're both in the same boat in that we are relying on invitations to play in tournaments but hopefully we can make the step up."

McDowell is a confessed admirer of Hoey's game, but he admits that the Belfast 23 year old is something of a mystery man.

"You don't quite know what's going on in Michael's head sometimes," he said with a smile. "On the outside he is so cool and he can be hard to get to know because he is quite shy.

"But I'm impressed with his golf game. He's very talented and I've also been impressed with how hard he works, his work rate is tremendous.

"The way he worked his way up to the Masters was wonderful and he made a good start with that finish in the Benson and Hedges and those high finishes in Dubai and Loch Lomond over the past 12 months.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing him in action. As a player his iron play is so good, the way he can control his trajectory.

"He's also a great man around the greens because he is so positive with his chipping and pitching."

But could Hoey and McDowell because the new Harrington and Clarke of Irish golf?

"I hope so. I think that it's a distinct possibility and to be honest it's about time we had a few more Irish players on the tour. I'm excited about the future and what might happen."

The top college golfer in the US last year, McDowell eventually signed with the ISM management group after a personal visit from boss Chubby Chandler.

"Chubby's visit made a difference and I knew I had made the right decision when I went to Slaley Hall last week. I missed the cut but the boys really looked after me and I to be in the same stable as Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood is tremendous."

And McDowell is looking forward to his third professional event, and his second as a pro, at Fota Island.

"The Irish Open is such a special event. The crowds and the atmosphere make it special and I'm hoping to make the breakthrough this week.

"I was seven over early on at Slaley Hall but played the last 27 holes in level par and made nine birdies so I took a lot of positives from it."

"I want to establish myself this year, get a few top tens, make a few cuts and get experience. It would be nice to make money and get my card but I'd love to challenge for the lead somewhere too."

The Rathmore man will play in the Smurfit Irish PGA championship European Open next week and hopes to play in the Celtic Manor Wales Open and the BMW International in Munich.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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