Golf:US Open champion Graeme McDowell is expecting a major challenge from his fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy in next week's British Open at St Andrews. McDowell plays his first event since triumphing at Pebble Beach in this week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.
On the eve of playing the event two years ago, McDowell explained why his friend and expected Ryder Cup partner is now keener than ever to succeed at St Andrews.
"I think there is a reaction to me winning (the US Open)," said McDowell. "Take Rory as an example. I've never seen a guy so excited about next week.
"I played with him the weekend after I won at Pebble Beach at Royal County Down and he told me he'd pulled out this week. He wants to be ready for next week.
"Rory now believes he can win majors. I inspired him. I think it has a positive effect."
In turn, McDowell said it had been Irishman Pádraig Harrington who had inspired him to win his first major.
"When you see a guy work as hard as he has to go and win three major championships, it gives everyone belief," added McDowell. "It just goes to show what a strong mind and a great short game can achieve."
While McDowell said he had no expectations this week, he is optimistic about playing well over the Old Course next week.
“My expectations are not huge. This week it’s about getting the body back in shape and the business head screwed back on.
“No disrespect to this tournament - I’ve won around here - I just need to shake the rust out of the system.
“I’ve one eye on next week. I’m going to be practising very hard and I’m definitely keeping parties and celebrations to a bare minimum - there will none of that going on.
“I’ve made enough good swings the last few days to know that they are still in there and certainly mentally I can be ready for next week, for sure.
“I’m definitely going there with expectations of competing and playing well.”
McDowell practised at the Old Course on Saturday, where he shot a course record-equalling 62 in the 2004 Dunhill Links Championship. He is also going for three wins in a row after he kicked of with a win at the Wales Open before Pebble Beach.
Not surprisingly, he has hardly been able to take a step without being congratulated for his recent achievements - as was the case at the JP McManus Pro-am In Adare Manor this week.
“Players and caddies and friends and Tour officials and just people I’ve played with have come up to me. A lot of them are sort of disbelieving,” added the 30-year-old.
“They are the way I feel really, saying ‘unbelievable’. I’m sure I’ve surprised some people, but I hope that I haven’t surprised everyone.
“I hope that people know enough about my game to know that hopefully the win at Pebble wasn’t a fluke.
“I feel like I’ve showed enough mental strength down the stretch over the years to know that if I put myself in that position I can do it.
“I’ve always said that my game matches up well to the US Open-style golf course. I hope when people say ‘unbelievable’ they are just ecstatic for me.”
After playing a round at the Old Course McDowell is not convinced the changes at the famous Road Hole 17th are for the better.
"I thought it was a fantastic hole but now I'm going to be playing it conservatively,” he said in reference to the added length.
"I don't see how I'm ever going to aim at that green with a four-iron. I think I'll be laying up to the front of the green
"That's unfortunate because you want drama. The 17th has given us great drama over the years. It's not really dramatic (now). It nearly has the opposite effect."
As for this week at Loch Lomond Phil Mickelson and Korean YE Yang, two more of the game’s four current major winners, are also in field and Mickelson will finally take the world number one spot off Tiger Woods if he finishes first or second.
Ernie Els made a late decision to play and Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, John Daly, Camilo Villegas, last year’s US Open champion Lucas Glover, Tom Lehman and 18-year-old Japanese ace Ryo Ishikawa hope to make their presence felt as well.
But of the leading 11 Europeans in the world only two - McDowell and defending champion Martin Kaymer - are competing.
Lee Westwood had already withdrawn before the leg injury which would have ruled him out in any case, while the others are already turning their thoughts towards St Andrews.