G-Mac proves a point
No panic after defeat insists captain Morgan
GRAEME McDOWELL felt he had to show his silver trophy to his two young daughters to prove he had been a Major champion after he missed the cut at the 2017 US Open.
Next week the revitalised Ulsterman is returning to Pebble Beach as a winner again – and looking to book a ticket home to Royal Portrush.
Nine years ago G-Mac won the US Open title at the Californian course, reached world No.4 and sealed the winning point at the Ryder Cup.
But after the Honda Classic this year he was down at world No.259.
McDowell, who started Northern Ireland’s remarkable run of Major success at Pebble Beach, said: “The US Open provided sustenance when I was struggling.
“I was watching Brooks Koepka win the US Open at Erin Hills with my two daughters (Vale Esme and Wills Edson) and I went to get the trophy as they didn’t believe I’d won it.
“It was a poignant moment. I’d missed the cut, was struggling and thinking, ‘Maybe I’ll have to pull the trophies out and remind them of yesteryear when I used to be good.’”
He finally rediscovered his touch by winning in the Dominican Republic in March – his first victory since November 2015.
“It had been a gorilla on my back for the last three years fighting for my card,” he added.
McDowell was the first European winner of the US Open for 40 years with a closing round 74.
“In 2010, it was so difficult. Most of the time you weren’t looking at flags, you were just trying to crawl the ball on to the greens and potentially have an uphill two putt. It is one of the great pieces of golfing real estate.”
McDowell has another prize to play for in the next few weeks – qualifying for The Open in his home town.
“It’s going to be special going back to Pebble then to Portrush for The Open, but it’s not going to be very special if I’m not in the field,” he said. ENGLAND: BANGLADESH: Umpires: TV:
EOIN MORGAN has ordered a positive reaction to defeat from England to get their World Cup bid back on track.
The skipper insists the world’s No.1-ranked team have not panicked following their loss to Pakistan, as he stayed cool ahead of today’s game against Bangladesh in Cardiff.
But he was forced to field questions on whether the World Cup favourites are coping with the pressure.
Another defeat could leave them in trouble, with the weather set to play a role over the next week.
Morgan said: “We know what we need to do to win a game. We’re very realistic about performances whether we win or lose.
“It’s not going to be plain sailing the whole way, we have spoken about that. It’s important to see a good, positive reaction from the Trent Bridge defeat.
“If it doesn’t go our way next game or the game after, there’s no panic stations. All we’ve talked about is sticking to what we do well and looking to our strengths.
“Before the tournament started we talked about losing games and how we would react and counter that.
“I wouldn’t say we were anxious, but it’s natural to feel different in different games. Everything goes back to focusing on ourselves and our strengths and how we win games.”
England were dumped out of the Champions Trophy semi-finals in Cardiff by Pakistan two years ago.
That game was played on a far from flat and true surface. And if the games here are anything to go by so far, it’s highly unlikely that England will get the sort of pitch they relish.
Add in the uncertain weather, which prevented them training outdoors on the eve of the match, and things are hardly running smoothly.
Morgan added: “I think the weather will have an impact. It’s something that we’ve spoken about in having a tournament at home and that the rain will impact at some stage.
“We do want it to turn round because it has a big impact on every team. Two years ago in the Champions Trophy Australia only played one game, which is not what you want.
“It has a big effect on how the wickets will play and be prepared and the groundsmen have a difficult job preparing three wickets for one game.
“Wickets here so far have been a bit greener and seamer friendly.”
That could play into England’s hands if they go ahead with the plan to replace leg-spinner Adil Rashid with fast bowler Liam Plunkett.
But with the spin threat of Mehidy Hasan, Shakib al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain, Morgan said: “It’s another challenge for the openers. Bangladesh will open with spin definitely.”