McDowell excited by Augusta countdown

Graeme McDowell can’t quite believe that Y.E. Yang makes him finish out from 12 inches on the 10th green during the their third round match in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson. (Photo Eoin Clarke/golffile.ie)Graeme McDowell is excited about revving up for the Masters in this week’s Honda Classic.

The Ulsterman, 31, came close to moving to third in the world when he reached the last 16 of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Tucson.

But while he was denied that spot by Luke Donald’s win, he’s excited about where his game is going and counting down the days to the first major of the year at Augusta.

Still world No 4, McDowell said: “It would have been amazing to go to world No 3 or even No 2 last week, but fair play to Luke for his great win and to Martin Kaymer for making it to world No 1.

“I am just happy with the way my game is going this year and as far as I am concerned, the season starts properly from this week with strokeplay events.

“I’m thinking, ‘Let’s go to the Masters, lets get ready.’

“It was nice to get three rounds in Tucson and I now really know where I am with my game this week at the Honda and what I have to work on to get ready for Augusta.

“I am excited now and I am warmed up and I have some of the rust chipped off and ready to go.”

McDowell looked set to lead at halfway in last year’s Honda Classic but called a two stroke penalty on himself for grazing the water as he tried to play out of a hazard.

He ended up tied for 31st but while his gunning for his second win on US soil, he’s got his sights set on challenging for the green jacket at the Masters in just over five weeks’ time.

The US Open champion added: “I learn more about Augusta every year and feel more comfortable there but there are two or three tee shots that don’t fit my eye because I am not a big hooker of the ball.

“I need to work on that shot between now and then and work hard on my short game. Those are the areas that I need to polish up to perform well at Augusta.”

McDowell is joined in West Palm Beach by Match Play winner Donald, world No 8 Rory McIlroy and No 2 Lee Westwood, who will be gunning to regain his No 1 ranking after losing it to Kaymer in Tucson.