John O'Sullivanhears from Ireland's leading finisher about his late slide down the order

The peal of thunder presaged what Graeme McDowell feared for some time, the subsequent air horn that signalled the first suspension in play during yesterday's final round of the Kappa Smurfit European Open confirming those out on the course had to return to the sanctuary of the clubhouse.

The Irishman stood at nine under par, coming off three successive birdies from the 10th, and was just a couple of shots off the lead, held by Niclas Fasth.

Amateur and professional golfers shares an aversion to any sort of delay when going well, because rhythm and impetus tend to be stifled.

He had just bisected the fairway with his tee shot on the par-four 13th when summoned from the course. Little did he realise that on his return his prospects, like the weather, would turn distinctly gloomy. Actually, his tale of woe began even before he returned, 45 minutes after play has ceased.

McDowell takes up the story: "The last thing I heard was a 15-minute announcement (to the resumption) and then we find out that we have to be back in position in 10 (minutes)."

The crucial factor here is that the player was obliged to be back on the 13th fairway by the second directive, ready to play.

"I don't understand it," said McDowell. "I didn't get a chance to hit a putt, didn't get a chance to hit anything. I had a quick bit of food, quick stretch.

"I just got straight back onto the bus and straight into the teeth of the golf tournament.

"In fairness, it's the same for everyone. It was just bad timing for me. I was fizzing, back in the tournament (at that stage)."

The squeamish should now look away.

"I am bang in the middle of the fairway on 13 coming off the back of three birdies and have to come back and hit a tough second shot. I lose the feel of the greens in that break and three-whack it (for bogey). I hit a great shot at 15 to make birdie and I'm back in the tournament."

It was a brief flirtation. McDowell's six-iron had been misbehaving and would be responsible for two punitive swing errors in the last three holes.

Straight blocks on the 16th and 18th holes would cost him three shots, and in trying to avoid using a club that had become his bête noire on the 17th, he "tomahawked" a five-iron straight over the pin and the green on the par three: another dropped shot.

"Those five six-irons (since the 18th on Saturday) represented some of the worst swings I have made," he said ruefully. "I'll have to get my six -iron checked. I have no idea where they are coming from. I can't explain why. I have just hit five complete anomalies. None of the other clubs in my bag have done that; there's something very unusual with my six-iron.

"I'm hoping there's something wrong with the club because otherwise there's something badly wrong with me. I ended up pushing it a bit coming in.

"I played some fantastic golf, drove the ball (well), hit some great putts. I had a chance to win that tournament. I am absolutely gutted. I will take the positives away from this eventually."

The concession of those four shots over the closing holes took him from a tie for second place to his eventual finishing position of tied-18th, on five under par, following a 71.

His golf merited a kinder conclusion, something he'll be better able to reflect upon this morning when the initial frustration has receded.

The healing will also be helped by being on the other side of the ropes when he travels to his home town of Portrush to support his younger brother Gary in the North of Ireland Championship, beginning today, before heading for the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on Wednesday morning.