Harmon tips McDowell

Never mind Paul Casey and Justin Rose. Watch out for Ireland’s Graeme McDowell.

That’s the view of the world’s top coach, Butch Harmon, who was in Dublin yesterday for the Red Bull Masterclass in association with the PGA at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Harmon and his brothers Craig, Dick and Bill worked with the 20 of the best Irish junior players, north and south, between the ages of 14 and 17.

Over 140 Irish pros attended a special PGA seminar, which ran parallel to the Masterclass event.

But while Harmon was putting the future Irish talents through their paces, he also took time out to comment on the new stars in the game - including Portrush ace McDowell.

He said: “Of the new breed of players, obviously Paul Casey and Justin Rose have got all the publicity.

“But I think Graeme McDowell has played very well. He has got an unusual golf swing but the thing I like about him, and I told him when he came to see me a few weeks ago, is that he is a winner.

“He knows how to win and has his own unique way of doing it and you can’t teach that.

“Adam Scott has the game to win a Major but his only negative is that he is not as great a putter as most of the guys who are great champions.

“He is a streaky putter. When he putts good he wins. He has a great swing and he’s in great shape but he is not a lot like the usual brash Aussie. He is very quiet and a joy to be around.”

As for England’s Ian Poulter, Harmon reckons that the Milton Keynes man can go far - if he concentrates solely on golf.

He said: “If Poulter can concentrate as much on playing as he does on his hairstyles and the trousers he wears he will do well.