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McDowell targets matchplay success

Graeme McDowell is hoping to convert his form at the Ryder Cup into individual matchplay success © Getty Images

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Graeme McDowell is hoping to finally translate his recent run of spectacular form and stellar matchplay record into a strong showing at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship this week.

McDowell, who became the first British winner of the US Open in 40 years in 2010 and also won the crucial final point in Europe's Ryder Cup victory later in the year, has been dumped out of the tournament in Tucson in the first round on the last two occasions.

Having recently moved up to No. 4 in the world rankings, the fifth seed for the event is hoping his history of success in team matchplay events - he has won 15 of his 21 ties in the Walker Cup, Ryder Cup or Seve Trophy - will finally come to the fore at the Ritz-Carlton Club, believing he has simply run into some in-form opponents in recent times.

"I look back at the last two years and I've had my clubs in their flight bag at 12.30 on day one," McDowell said. "You start to think that this is the worst event in the world, but I have actually played pretty well the last couple of years and shot the equivalent of 67s and just gone home.

"Some other guys have shot 73s and managed to win. That's the nature of the beast. You run into a guy who plays great and you have got to try and play better than him."

McDowell has been drawn against 60th seed Heath Slocum in the first round of the event, but despite the difference in their ranking believes he should not be viewed as a strong favourite against the American.

"There are no bad players in this field," he said. "Heath is a very solid player and he is the sort of guy who is going to make me go out and win the match. He is not going to be throwing shots away and giving me easy holes."

Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods, who will face Dane Thomas Bjorn in his first match, has recently found himself in hot water after being fined by the European Tour for spitting on the 12th green during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. The Northern Irishman was diplomatic on the incident, declining to criticise the 14-time major champion.

"I know a lot of people have frowned upon it, but we all make mistakes," McDowell said. "At the end of the day I feel privileged to be playing in the Tiger Woods era.

"He has made golf a more profitable lifestyle and he has attracted a new set of fans to the sport."

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