McDowell has driving ambition in Dubai
Graeme McDowell believes he has the guns to take on big-hitter Martin Kaymer on a monster course and snatch the Race to Dubai title.
Greg Norman’s 7,700-yard Earth Course will decide which of Europe’s latest major winners is crowned European No 1 on Sunday.
And McDowell reckons he has gained enough power this year to grab the fourth win of an unforgettable year and erase the German’s €290,911 lead.
Needing at least a top-3 finish to have any chance, McDowell has set his sights on a win worth €910,348 that would end all arguments.
Excited to get going, McDowell said: “I’m driving the ball great, which is key this week. I am feeling ready good about my game and I am playing well enough to win.
“I’ve given myself a chance now and if I finish in the top three and he finishes 20th, that might be enough. But if I win the tournament, I win the Race to Dubai.”
The last three holes measure exactly one mile and after finishing 30th last year, McDowell felt that the course was simply too long for him.
But he has since picked up 10 yards off the tee and can’t wait to continue a red-hot streak of form that has seen him follow a win at Valderrama with a third and a fifth place in his last two starts.
Pumped up by the challenge ahead, McDowell said: “I didn’t like the course last season because I didn’t drive the ball well. But I am a different player than I was last year.
“I am probably about 10 yards longer off the tee than I was last year and I am driving it much, much better.
“My caddie just reminded me that we played the golf course early every day last year because I wasn’t in the mix.
“It plays longer in the mornings because it is cooler but this year I am going to be out there in the afternoon when it plays drier and it plays faster.
“So it was just a bit long for me last year. But it won’t be too long for me this time.”
McDowell was disappointed not to win last week in Hong Kong having gone into the final round just two shots behind eventual champion Ian Poulter.
But his confidence is still sky high and he’s ready to throw down the gauntlet to Kaymer in the season-ending spectacular.
Relishing the challenge, he roared: “It’s game on. He knows he has to go and do a job this week and I know I have got to go and do my job. It’s exciting.
“I’m playing fantastic at the moment, coming off a fifth in Hong Kong, third in Singapore and a win a few weeks ago.
“It’s put a nice bit of polish on what has been an amazing season and I feel like I am getting better and better.”