McDowell trying to keep an Open mind

TPC of Europe: Graeme McDowell loves to play mental games, and is big into the new fads in psychology; things like neuro-linguistic programming - or NLP, if you like.

And his mindset is such there are some things he would rather not know, such as the fact if, after this week's TPC of Europe, he were to remain in the top three on the Volvo Order of Merit of those players not already exempt for the British Open, then he will have booked a first date in a major.

But the simple fact is McDowell's form this season has been so good he stands on the threshold of earning an exemption into the field for the Open Championship at Royal Troon in July. "It's just me, I'd rather not know about these things. I prefer to just go out and focus on whatever tournament I am playing," he said.

Just over a fortnight on from his second tour win, the Italian Open, McDowell - the 24-year-old from Portrush who has a capability to finish off the job on the golf course when the opportunity presents itself - is one of a six-strong Irish contingent in the field for this week's TPC of Europe where he is joined by Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane.

Paul McGinley has withdrawn on medical advice. "My doctor advised me to have a week's rest and some physiotherapy on my knee," explained the Dubliner, who underwent surgery just over six weeks ago but who returned to tournament play ahead of schedule and finished 15th in the British Masters and fifth in the BMW Asian Open to move 16th on the European Tour money list. He will return for at next week's Volvo PGA at Wentworth.

McDowell, though, has much to play for on a course he believes suits his game. Although he has entered for the British Open qualifying at Sunningdale at the start of July, McDowell can save himself that extra exertion if he were to book an exemption through the "current form" route, which finishes on Sunday.

Another mini-order of merit will run from the Deutsche Bank up to the Smurfit European Open at The K Club, when the top two players not already exempt will earn places in the Open field.

Indeed, McDowell is convinced the next step in his upward career graph is to play in majors and has also entered for the US Open qualifying at Lake Nona. "I believe my game is tailormade for the US Open, I am a straight hitter of the ball," he insisted.

One reason McDowell believes his game has improved this year has been the acquisition of a new caddie, Matt Harbour, who is a graduate of psychology but who was working in an online bookmakers when he changed career paths to become a bagman.

"He's helping me big time on my mental game . . . he sees every shot, every emotion and every mood change and helps me try to explain why I feel the way I do on the course sometimes. Neuro Linguistic Programming is the big technique at the minute which is a move from academic psychology in to practical psychology, where you break it down and give it a practical application in real life. I've been working on it with Dr Karl Morris since last November and Matt's also into it . . . it just throws a few more elements into the cauldron, and the whole package is now there."

As if to emphasise his commitment to further improvement, McDowell spent some time working with his coach Claude Harmon on the range yesterday in preparation for this tournament and what McDowell believes will be a big summer for him.

"Winning in Italy didn't come as a shock to the system, but it came at the right time . . . it takes care of business nicely and takes any pressure there might have been off trying to win your card and that kind of stuff.

Now, I'm thinking of going out to try and win golf tournaments."