US MASTERS: Philip Reidtalks to the Irishman who has prepared without the media spotlight trained on his two compatriots
RORY McILROY could hardly move without a camera being thrust in his direction to capture the curling locks protruding from under his cap. Pádraig Harrington’s status as a major champion has brought with it increased recognition, turning heads on his stroll from range to putting green. The two Irishmen have been in demand since registering on Monday morning. Print. Radio. TV. Public. Everyone has wanted and got a piece of them.
The third Irishman in this year’s Masters has had a far more relaxed time of it. Just the way he has wanted it, in fact. For Graeme McDowell – competing in his second Masters, having missed the cut on his previous visit here four years ago – it has been a case of flying in under the radar, keeping his head down and getting on with his own preparations.
The reason? “I tried to do too much the last time (in 2005). By the time the tournament came around, I was worn out. I’ve been much more professional and laid back this time. The other two Irishmen here have been making all the noises and that suits me fine,” remarked McDowell, who shot rounds of 79-70 on his debut appearance to miss the cut by one.
Since then, McDowell has matured into a multiple winner on the European Tour and become a Ryder Cup player. And, having made a couple of reconnaissance visits to Augusta National in recent weeks to play the course, the Ulsterman has been able to concentrate on areas of his game in honing his challenge for this second appearance here.
“I’ve had a nice, relaxed build up. It is all about conserving your energy for the weekends. I’ve played enough now in majors to know you’ve got to be fresh and ready. I’ve prepared well, and I’ll be interested to see how my game is four years down the line. I’m a more experienced player and I’m looking forward to the test,” said McDowell.
Yesterday, much of McDowell’s time was taken up working with Pete Cowan on his short game. “You’ve only got to look at the guys who win majors, Tiger, Pádraig this past few years . .. . they’ve great short games and that’s what it is all about,” said McDowell, adding: “You’ve got to bring your short game (to Augusta), because this course is only going to get tougher and tougher.”
McDowell has played only a limited amount of tournaments so far this year.
“The season starts now. I’ve had a purposely slow start to the season from a scheduling point of view. Maybe I haven’t played quite the way I would like to but, at the same time, the game has just been bubbling under the surface. I’m looking for a good performance. I feel very ready. I’m refreshed and ready to go.”
While McDowell heads into today’s first round under the radar, the same cannot be said for either Harrington or McIlroy who each completed their preparations on the course. Harrington played the back nine with Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher while McIlroy played 18 holes with Kenny Perry.
For Harrington, this 10th appearance in the Masters provides the opportunity to join Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods in the history books as the only players to win three successive majors. Harrington claimed that the pressure of seeking a third straight major was no different to any other week of a major.
“It’s a major. It’s a chance to win another major. Just because it’s three in a row adds to it, but not significantly. It doesn’t make the pressure any different to turning up at any major and trying to win it.”
He added: “I’m going to have that pressure for the foreseeable future in majors. I’m going to turn up at a lot of them and know that if I play my game I can win. A few years ago, I’d have gone into majors thinking, ‘maybe if I get lucky this week I can win’.
“Now, I realise I can win majors within my own control. I know if I prepare right and play right and go out and play my golf, it’s possible for me to win.”
