McDowell contemplating two drivers for Augusta

Graeme McDowell - Picture: Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell could take the Phil Mickelson route and put two drivers in the bag for next month’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

Mickelson opted for two drivers in the 2006 Bellsouth Classic and won the tournament by a whopping 13 shots before going on to claim his second green jacket at Augusta using a draw-driver and a fade-driver.

Now McDowell (31) is seriously thinking of taking the same route in an attempt to hit the big, slinging hooks required to negotiate several holes at the storied Georgia venue.

With a best finished of tied 17th and two missed cuts from his three appearances in the event, McDowell is wondering how he can become a happy hooker this year.

McDowell said: “There is half a possibility I’ll put two drivers in the bag. Myself and my caddie Kenny Comboy have been talking about it and while I wouldn’t be mad keen, I am not a natural drawer of the ball.

“I can hit a draw, maybe when I don’t want one. But I can’t really hit it on demand and so we have struggled with a few tee shots at Augusta in the past.

“I am going to ask the boys at Cleveland to build me some stuff with a right to left bias. Nothing has been decided yet but I am open to options right now.”

McDowell knows that he could be required to hit a draw off the tee on as many as six holes at Augusta - the second, ninth, 10th, 13th, 15th and 17th.

Looking ahead to the first major of the season, he said: “I should do better than I’ve done there - 17th is my best return - but I am going there with a completely open mind and I am excited about it.

“I am going back there as a rookie, if you like.  I am really just trying to forget everything I know about the course and just go back there with my game as it is now.

“I feel like I am getting better all the time and I have to start thinking my way around the course a bit better. I think the golf course does take a lot of getting to know.”