Steady and Consistent Play Wins U.S. Open for McDowell
Graeme McDowell was able to win the United States Golf Association US Open this past Sunday with solid and steady play. One of the key contributing factors to his win was the use of hybrid golf clubs off the tee. Using his hybrids he was able to put the ball in the fairway and position himself well for his second and third shots. Playing partner Dustin Johnson was hitting the ball at least 50 yards past him but he couldn’t keep the ball in play. Johnson shot an 81 while McDowell shot a 75.
McDowell may seem like an unlikely winner but the US Opens winners list is full of surprises. Players like Andy North, who won twice, Retif Goosen, and now Graeme McDowell seem to have a large amount of success at this tournament. It’s because of their steady play and the boring up and downs that they make that allow them to compete with the better known golfers like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. This kind of play lends itself well to the punishing conditions that the US Open favors. Keeping the ball in play and straight down the fairway may lead to longer shots into the hole but you avoid the big number which will ruin your round. McDowell was able to do this while others were not so successful in that endeavor.
Pebble Beach, one of the most scenic courses in the world, reminded McDowell of the kind of courses that the Irishman plays at home. This allowed him a sort of home field advantage over other golfers. The layout played to his strengths even though the course was set up nothing like it usually is for the Pro-Am that is played there in the winter. Many pros complained about the conditions and by Sunday the course was playing so fast that misplacing a shot by a few feet was the difference between success and failure.
While McDowell doesn’t have the flash and big name of other top players I expect he will win more tournaments and possibly more majors. His game suits the majors well for all the reasons we’ve already discussed. The only question is if he will play more on the PGA tour or stay in Europe where he plays now on the European PGA Tour. When you win a major championship it’s wise to strike out at as many endorsement deals as you can. Playing more in the U.S. might be a wise thing for him to do in the upcoming years.
McDowell has bright future ahead of him and can expect more good play with his simple to use swing. If he were to give other pros any golf tips at all it should be to keep the ball in play and don’t be afraid of laying back a little bit farther down the fairway. Watching players hit the long ball is definitely nice, but McDowell proved that consistent and steady play is much more important than wowing the crowds.
Related posts: