McDowell has loftier ambitions

The Masters: In his time, Ben Crenshaw had 19 wins - including two US Masters titles - on the US Tour. Graeme McDowell doesn't have any, not just yet at any rate.

But Crenshaw was immensely impressed with the up-close-and-personal look he got of the 25-year-old from Portrush's debut appearance in the season's first major at Augusta National.

"Gosh, what a load of talent," remarked Crenshaw. "He's a wonderful player, a wonderful player . . . he has a wonderful build for golf and you can't teach anybody that rhythm. I told him his long game is just beautiful, that he has the ability to play any shot, but I did give him advice to be a little more comfortable on his putting."

In fact, Crenshaw - known to have one of the best short games around - felt compelled to inform McDowell it might be worth experimenting with a new putter.

"I noticed his putter doesn't have that much loft and that his hands are straight up and straight down when he starts. I thought he might benefit from getting a little loft on his putter, and moving his hands forward. He felt that made sense, because he'd been trying to get the stroke a little lower going through the ball."

Although McDowell missed the cut by a shot after shooting a second-round 70 for 149, Crenshaw was extremely impressed with his first in-the-flesh look at a player who appears destined to spend more time Stateside. "Graeme's physically very strong. I watched him, and he has got a great pair of legs (when swinging), a beautiful rhythm. This course is just such a different test and all he needs is a better read here or on the pace there . . . I told him it was hard to believe some of the putts you hit.

"Some look sneaky quick and some look sneaky slow, and they're actually the other way. But he can learn how to play there," added Crenshaw.

"You can cultivate a short game and he has that imagination to play those little shots. The power game is so enamouring, but the little shots are so important and you face shots here that you don't see any other time of the year."

McDowell, who plays in this week's MCI Classic at Hilton Head before a two-week break, after which he resumes with the defence of his Italian Open title, was naturally disappointed not to make the weekend, but already anticipating a return in a year's time.

"I feel like I've had an education this week," said McDowell, "no doubt about it. I played with eight or nine Masters champions and had a lot of fun. Just to talk and listen and learn from them is so important . . . but I know what I need to do to win the tournament now. I'll work on the shots that I need to fill my repertoire."

He added: "To miss out by one shot is annoying, but I played good golf for the last 26 holes. I three-whacked four times in the first 10 holes (in the first round) and that got me behind the eight-ball early on. I didn't find any rhythm early on, didn't have any confidence around the greens. I just don't have all the shots that are required around the greens, it's as simple as that. I watched someone like Ben Crenshaw and he still has them. I had a good chat with him on what I need to do to improve. Just watching him is an education anyway.

"But I was disappointed to miss out (on making the cut). I'd been working on my swing all week and I felt it was just coming the way I wanted it. I'm striking the ball well. I know my ball-striking is as good as anyone's, it's just that my short game needs a bit of work for these conditions. What happened in the first 10 holes dented my pride, but I felt I moved on pretty quick and re-established my own confidence."

If the slickness of the greens came as an eye-opener for McDowell, it was a frustrating time on them for Padraig Harrington, who had 35 putts in his second round and also missed out on the cut by one stroke. "I don't think I've taken that many putts in a round of golf in a long time," he said.

Harrington suffered a neck strain while on the practice range on Saturday before resuming his weather-delayed second round. "I thought it would loosen itself out, but it was a bit of a struggle with the driver," he said. Yet, his main problems came on the greens. "It's a tough course when you are going in the wrong direction," conceded Harrington, who has decided to take the Houston Open off his schedule which will give him a two-week break before the New Orleans Classic.

It also means the Dubliner will have to revise his US Tour itinerary for later in the year as he is required to play in 15 tournaments. Having also previously cancelled plans to play in the BellSouth Classic, he will be required to play additional tournaments later in the season.