European Tour Award: Graeme McDowell has been named European Tour Golfer of the Month for March following his victory in the inaugural Ballantine's Championship at Pinx Golf Club, Jeju Island, Korea.
The 28-year-old captured his third European Tour title after a sudden-death play-off with Jeev Milkha Singh of India. He produced a magnificent seven iron approach from 179 yards to 12 inches for a tap-in birdie at the third extra hole.
The Portrush pro won the award ahead of several notable contenders, including Frenchman Thomas Levet, who showed he has recovered from vertigo by winning the Andalucia Open a fortnight ago.
India's Arjun Atwal won the Malaysian Open while Scotland's Alastair Forsyth claimed the Madeira Islands Open and were also strong contenders for the award.
Even veteran Bernhard Langer was in the reckoning as the former European Ryder Cup captain leads the US Champions Tour money list after recent victories in the Toshiba Classic and the Ginn Championship.
McDowell admitted that the shot to win the play-off was "definitely up there" with the best he has hit in his professional career. "There's no doubt it's in my top five best shots I've ever hit under the gun," said McDowell.
"In the play-off, Jeev looked like he had hit it pretty close and I had a similar yardage to what I had the second time around and I knew a seven iron was obviously perfect. This time I just had to make sure I aimed right at the flag, and it came off perfectly. The second I hit it, I thought it was the right club."
Germany's Martin Kaymer won the first award in January and New Zealand's Mark Brown lifted the February award. At the end of the year, all the monthly winners will be considered for the accolade of European Tour Golfer of the Year.
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