McDowell can't wait for '08

By Brian Keogh

Graeme McDowell claimed sixth place in the UBS Hong Kong Open to finish his season on a high.

And the Ulsterman, 28, insists that he will be bursting with energy when he resumes his Ryder Cup campaign in January.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez took advantage of a final hole collapse by Robert Karlsson to snatch the title at Fanling.

But McDowell was beaming after a two under par 68 left him just four shots behind the Spaniard on 11 under par.

McDowell said: "I did what I had to do and kept bogeys off my card. But I just didn't make enough birdies.

"I seemed to hit it 15 feet above the hole all day long and leaving myself tricky downhill putts.

"It is a little bit frustrating but at the same time it is a nice way to finish the year after playing well at Valderrama and getting some good finishes before that.

"Maybe the end of the year has come a little too quick. I wish I had an event at Wentworth or The K Club to look forward to.

"I am looking forward to my break and I will come out firing in January. It was a great decision to come here.

"At the same time it is good to rest on some positive stuff and I will be really excited come January.

"I will spend a week in Ireland and go to Orlando for three or four weeks and just chill out.

"There will be some Guinness drinking and hanging out with my friends in there too. I am looking forward to a break."

Despite a bogey at the last, Jimenez fired a three under par 67 to finish one clear of Karlsson, KJ Choi and Thongchai Jaidee on 15 under par.

The Swede had a chance to force a play-off but missed a five foot bogey putt after a poor second and a fluffed chip up a bank.

Karlsson hit back to back 64s and then added a 66 to take a four-shot lead into the final round.

Sportingly, Jimenez said: "I said sorry to Robert on the last green for the way he played the last hole. He played so well all through the week, he was on the leaderboard all through the week to the last hole.

"He's a good player, a top class player, but you have only one winner."

Damien McGrane (71) finished tied 20th with Gary Murphy (72) in 26th and Paul McGinley (71) down in 50th.