• European Tour

McDowell withdraws from French Open

ESPN staff
June 24, 2010
Graeme McDowell will return to action at the Scottish Open © Getty Images
Enlarge

US Open champion Graeme McDowell will miss next week's French Open at Versailles after admitting to exhaustion.

The new world No. 13 will take an extra week to recover from his victory at Pebble Beach last weekend and will return to action at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on July 8.

McDowell became the first European to lift the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 when he beat Frenchman Gregory Havret by a stroke, and Sir Nick Faldo believes his victory will inspire greater European success, as when Seve Ballesteros broke through in America in the early 80s.

"When Seve won The Masters [in 1980 and 1983] it changed people's mindsets," said Faldo."You think 'I play against that guy and I know what I can do against him'. I know Seve's success inspired me then and I'm sure Graeme's win will inspire others now."

Ahead of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in September, Europeans have been enjoying a run of success in America, with Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood all claiming their maiden PGA Tour titles. And Faldo, who won the Open three times, believes the trophies will keep coming for the British players.

"We've seen it with Poulter and Rose this season. There's a buddy thing and when one wins the other wants to even more. I would predict more to come now and The Open at St Andrews next month is a perfect one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices