PORT IN A STORM

Graeme seeking home comforts after rough & rocky spell on Tour

LOCAL hero Graeme Mcdowell hopes familiarity breeds contentment at this year’s star studded Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The former World No.4, who has abseiled to 100th in the rankings over the course of 30 largely frustrating months, is in need of a career catalyst And where better to locate a pickme-up after consecutive missed cuts in France and Erin Hills than the fairways and dog legs of an old stomping ground, the stunning links of Portstewart. Despite the drizzle outside, G-mac – born and bred in nearby Portrush – was in upbeat mood yesterday. Yet beyond the natural charm and easy anecdotes of “too many rashers of bacon” while staying with his parents this week, there lies a determination to make a mark on comfortable terrain. An eagerness too to find the kind of consistency and fluency that would let him “give it a rip” alongside Rory Mcilroy, Hideki Matsuyama and company on Sunday. “This week could really reignite things for me – I’d dearly love to contend going into the weekend,” said the 2010 US Open champion. “It’s been a frustrating year because I’ve been WELCOME MAT World No.2 Hideki Matsuyama playing well and just haven’t had those big finishes which are the catalyst for more confidence and belief. “I feel I’m doing so many things right, but that’s really the big piece of the puzzle missing for me – belief and confidence.” When told he had tumbled to 100th in the latest world rankings released on Monday, G-mac – whose last European Tour win came at the 2014 French Open – shook his head. A rueful smile and muffled expletive followed. “Anyone got a pint of Guinness?” he sighed. “Listen, I knew that was on the way if I didn’t get my act together. “I’ve just got to play better. Simple as that. No excuses.” Mcdowell was asked if he had ever “doubted” himself in his quest to return to the form that led him to major glory at Pebble Beach seven years ago. “I doubted myself a couple of years ago, (thinking) I didn’t have what it took anymore to get back to where I wanted. “But the last 12 months have been much better. I’ve felt more relaxed. I’ve ignored the negativity in my own mind.” Mcdowell believes Portstewart is a “course of two very different nine holes”. He said: “I expected the front nine to be awesome and the back nine to be disappointing, but the back nine is a hell of a lot stronger and trickier than I thought. Portstewart is a very underrated golf course and I think people will be pleasantly surprised.”