18/06/2012
NI Golfer McDowell Second At US Open
Graeme McDowell narrowly missed out on the winning place at the US Open in San Francisco yesterday.
The Portrush man finished one shot behind winner Webb Simpson.
Mr McDowell, who was champion in 2010, said he now has "renewed belief" in his ability to win major championships.
He said: "The fact I came second and gave myself a chance of winning means I will take a huge number of positives from this week. I was nervous on the last two days but hit quality shots under pressure. I am very proud of how I played overall."
But Mr McDowell admitted there were points where he did not play as well as he would have liked.
"It was tough out there, I got off to a slow start and didn't give myself opportunities," he said.
"It was disappointing but I missed too many fairways and that is not ideal at the US Open. I thought I was in with a chance after birdies at the 11th and 12th, but then I hit a bad shot at 13 and bogeyed 14. At least the birdie at 17 gave me an opportunity going down the last, but in the end I fell just short."
Mr McDowell now lies just outside the global top ten – he has moved up to 11th in the world rankings.
He said: "I'm excited about the Irish Open, and I guess there will be a little bit of expectation on me now."
(NE)
The Portrush man finished one shot behind winner Webb Simpson.
Mr McDowell, who was champion in 2010, said he now has "renewed belief" in his ability to win major championships.
He said: "The fact I came second and gave myself a chance of winning means I will take a huge number of positives from this week. I was nervous on the last two days but hit quality shots under pressure. I am very proud of how I played overall."
But Mr McDowell admitted there were points where he did not play as well as he would have liked.
"It was tough out there, I got off to a slow start and didn't give myself opportunities," he said.
"It was disappointing but I missed too many fairways and that is not ideal at the US Open. I thought I was in with a chance after birdies at the 11th and 12th, but then I hit a bad shot at 13 and bogeyed 14. At least the birdie at 17 gave me an opportunity going down the last, but in the end I fell just short."
Mr McDowell now lies just outside the global top ten – he has moved up to 11th in the world rankings.
He said: "I'm excited about the Irish Open, and I guess there will be a little bit of expectation on me now."
(NE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.