G-Mac's desert drought continues: "It just seems to be the same bad golf every year"
Graeme McDowell might have finished inside the Bonus Pool money after the DP World Tour Championship but he didn't sound like a man dying to rush back.
The former US Open champion had another excellent season, retaining the Open de France in Paris before leading off the European singles charge in that Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles.
“It just seems to be the same bad golf every year and even worse this week,” McDowell said of his week and a closing 72 that left him tied 47th on two under and 11th in the final Race to Dubai standings, worth an extra $110,000 from the $5m Bonus Pool
“Simple as, this golf course just doesn’t like me. It’s not sour grapes and far from that and while some guys play well around here, I don’t."
After taking 35 putts in the final round and 124 over the four days, he added: “I don’t think I’ve had three three-putts all year and I’ve three three-putts a round on this golf course, and it’s just not my style and it just kind of seeps in through my game and it affects my long game and I start thrashing the ball and trying to do things I shouldn’t.
“So it’s frustrating as there is a big prize at the end of this tournament and the end of our season but I come here to Dubai and just can’t put it all together.
“It just demoralises my and I have to shake that off."
Reflecting on his season overall, he added: “It’s been another solid season and with just one missed cut and showing a lot of consistency..
“I led the PGA Tour putting stats and there was a lot of good stuff happening this year like successfully defending my French Open title and playing in another winning European Ryder Cup team so I’m heading home for my final two events in a really good place.
“On a personal level it’s a year in which I’ve become a father so that’s been a huge highlight in my life, as well.
“But then you get blinded by the fog of this place so it’s still be a great year and I’m as happy as Larry.”
MIchael Hoey finished 60th in Dubai on 10 over after a 77 and 57th the final Race to Dubai standings.
