Race to Dubai challenger Graeme McDowell all but threw in the towel after his much anticipated battle against Martin Kaymer to become Europe’s top player turned into a no contest even before the Dubai World Championships presented by DP World begins Sunday’s final round at the Earth course in Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“Yeah, I think barring the impossible, Europe’s No.1 is probably not a reality for me anymore. Unless I shoot a 55 tomorrow, I don’t think it’s going to happen,” after carding a third round 69 for a two-under total of 214 to lag way behind the leaders.
“You know he’s going to win the Race to Dubai. He’s been one of the best players in the world this year and he certainly deserves everything he’s achieved,” said McDowell of Race to Dubai leader Kaymer.
He paid a glowing tribute to the soon to be crowned European number one Kaymer of Germany describing him as “ice man” for his cool approach.
“He’s a very quietly driven guy. He doesn’t show much emotion obviously. It’s obviously the German or the European in him or whatever. He’s got that every unemotional, ice man like kind of attitude,” said McDowell of his playing partner in the first round.
But he was less complimentary about the Earth course in a classic case of sour grapes by a sore loser.
“This golf course, it’s not my cup of tea, but you can’t choose these golf courses. You just have to adapt to the weeks that are set out in front of you and hope for the best. But this is a golf course which frustrated me last year and it’s continued to frustrate me a bit this year,” said McDowell despite firing his best round of 69 on Saturday with the help of four birdies after mediocre opening rounds.
“Today was more positive. I feel a bit better and hit the ball better. I hit the ball as good as I’ve been hitting it really, drove the ball well and hit a lot of quality shots,” he acknowledged.
But he failed to mask the disappointment of coming to Dubai with high hopes having been on a roll since winning the Andalucia Valderrama Masters five weeks ago.
“I had a tough four weeks and was running on fumes a little bit this week. And when I needed the putter to make me feel good, it didn’t make me feel good at all,” he said admitting that the failure in his short game caused his downfall.
He also admitted to struggling on the greens and failing to not get any momentum going. “Without the putter working, it’s very difficult to get on top of the golf course. I feel like every time I miss a green I feel like I’m making a bogey because I’m not holing the 6- and 8-footers,” he said.
But it is not the end of the road for McDowell who became the first European in 40 years to win the US Open in June this year.
“I’m playing Tiger’s tournament next week in LA (Los Angeles) and the Shark Shootout in Naples, Florida. Tomorrow afternoon will sort of signify the end of my serious golfing for the season,” said McDowell who confirmed that he would be returning for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships next year.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
