MAC’S THE FATHER OF THE PRIDE

SAUDI ARABIA

GRAEME McDOWELL succeeded in proving to his children he’s not just a “YouTube golfer” following his battling victory in the Saudi International.

McDowell began the final round with a one-shot lead and a level-par 70 in tough conditions was enough to seal a first European Tour title since 2014.

The two-shot win is set to lift McDowell (above) from 104th in the world rankings to back inside the top 50, less than a year after the 2010 US Open champion found himself a lowly 257th.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson finished second, with Phil Mickelson, Thomas Pieters and Gavin Green in a tie for third.

McDowell, who finished 12 under par, said: “I’ve got young kids at home and I want to show them that Dad can still do it. I don’t want to have to pull up the YouTube videos.”

McDowell was a vicecaptain at the 2018 Ryder Cup, a role he would be expected to repeat under Padraig Harrington in September.

But a trip to Whistling Straits as a player is now firmly back on the agenda, along with a first Masters appearance since 2016.

“I’d love to be on the team, but there’s a lot of things that need to happen between now and then,” added McDowell.

“I want to play my way on, I don’t want to rely on a pick, but we’ll see.

“My schedule is going to change a little bit, maybe in Mexico (for the WGC event), maybe in the Masters. We were trying to plan an Easter holiday with the kids the week of the Masters but that may have to go on hold now.”