New kid Graeme McDowell was toasting sponsors Murphy's after carding his first sub-par round as a professional at Fota Island yesterday.

The Rathmore 22-year-old birdied the par five 18th from two and half feet to card a one under par 70.

And he had admitted to feeling the pressure as he knocked in his short putt.

"To shoot under par is nice and I have to hold my hand up and say that yes, I did start thinking that 'this is for your first round under par as a pro'," he said. "But I'm just happy to be here thanks to the sponsors Murphy's and it's a good start for me.

"The atmosphere was totally different to the Great North Open at Slaley Hall where there were only a few spectators. Here there's a wonderful atmosphere and it makes you feel like performing"

McDowell had five birdies and four bogeys in an up and down round but after missing the cut in his first professional outing at Slaley Hall last week he was delighted to start with red figures after his name.

"I threw away a couple of stupid shots but I also made a few birdies and even though I'm not totally happy with the way I'm swinging I'm driving the ball well and I feel that this course suits my game."

McDowell is using a new TaylorMade 560 driver and it is working wonders for his confidence.

"I haven't been hitting it great off the tee this year but I'm just loving it now. Around this course you can just get the driver and bomb it down there all day.

"I haven't changed clubs or anything since I turned professional. You have to be happy with your equipment and I'm not going to sign an equipment deal for the sake of money.

"I'm always tricking with my clubs and my coach at college in the States was always telling me off for changing my irons or messing about but that's what I like to do."

McDowell started slowly and after a bogey at the third and a birdie at the fourth, he was over par again when he missed the fairway at the fifth and failed to get up and down.

He was in the rough again at the 478 yard eighth but fired a shot out to four feet and turned in level par.

He chipped and putted for birdie at the 10th to dip under par and then played the remaining eight holes in level for his 70.

He bogeyed the 12th and 16th but holed from 14 feet at the 15th and then driver and two iron to the right edge of the 18th green before chipping up to 30 inches for the sweetest birdie of the day.


Top

© Brian Keogh 2002

Back