Major winner who was starting to question ability beats Knox in Mexico

This is the game of golf and it is very difficult, but I’ve been dreaming of this day and I’ve said to myself I would appreciate this day when it came.

“Iamgoing to appreciate this one, letme tell you. The wholeyear hasbeenagrind formy team, formy caddie, coaches, managers, my wife. It has been a tough year but this is special.

“I’ve stuck tomy task the last three or four months, I kept grinding and big thanks to everyone who has kept their trust and belief in me.

“This is a step back to where I want to be. I want to be back up there, I want to win more tournaments

“I wanted to use a six iron and smash it, but my caddie told me not to”

and I want to win more major championships.”

McDowell hailed the advice of his caddieKenComboy in convincing him to change his choice of club for the crucial second shot in the play-off.

He said: “After the 72nd hole I didn’t see 18 as a driver hole. I used the three wood and then hit a five iron. I’ll be honest Iwanted to use a six iron and smash it, but my caddie told me not to and to hit the five iron instead.

“Itwas as good a five iron as I could hit and I could tell from the audience it was a pretty good shot and thankfully it wasn’t much longer. It was nice to be able to knock in a two and a half footer from there to win.”

WORTH THEWAIT: Graeme McDowell after winning the three-man playoff in the final round in Mexico