McDowell hasn’t lost his fire
Past U.S. Open champion working hard for another major
Graeme McDowell was staring at the ground on the first fairway at Erin Hills.
It was before dinnertime on Tuesday and with most players done practising for the day, it seemed like the perfect time for a quick walk around the golf course. The 2010 U. S. Open champion was in no rush as he examined a small basin- like spot on the right side of the fairway. Measurements were made and notes were taken. This would be a spot to avoid later in the week.
Like the championship itself, preparing for the U. S. Open can be gruelling. Once play begins it’s all about positivity and visualizing perfect outcomes. But that means the days before have to be spent making sure you know where all the less- than- perfect outcomes lie. And there’s plenty of evil to be found at the U. S. Open. So much, in fact, that nine- hole practice rounds routinely take more than three hours to complete when the course is busy.
But it wasn’t busy when McDowell was examining the course. The morning thunderstorms were long gone and it was calm, warm, and stunningly beautiful.
“It’s nice to come out here in the evenings away from the madding crowds, as they say,” McDowell said. “You know, major championship practice rounds can be quite demanding. You’ve got a lot of media, you’ve got a lot of people. The intensity level is just cranked up in a lot of different ways and you know you have to conserve your energy.”
Tuesday was not the day to conserve energy, however; that would be Wednesday. Monday was equipment day, which he spent mainly on the driving range working on any troublesome aspects of his swing while dialing in the equipment. Tuesday was a work day and the Northern Irishman had already put in a long one. I spotted McDowell on the range just after breakfast and then again after lunch. As dinner approached, he and his caddy were hard at work on the near-empty course.
“I guess after years of playing major championships I’ve learned that one of the busiest times to come and play is 7 a.m.,” McDowell said. “I don’t know if that’s the Tiger syndrome. Guys have been watching Tiger play at about 6:30 and 7 a.m. before the majors and they assume that’s the root to success, you know? I’m a guy who likes to play mid- afternoon, late afternoon. It’s a little quieter. You can have some peace and quiet, and get your job done. And what’s your job? The job is to find a way to get around this golf course.”
Finding a way around this sprawling course in Wisconsin isn’t easy. Erin Hills is not a classic U.S. Open course. Far from it. The 11-year-old course has never hosted a major championship and its severe bunkers, rolling fairways and undulating greens take plenty of getting used to. McDowell made an early scouting trip here last Monday, which he hopes will pay off.