Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell was born on July 30, 1979 and twenty-three years later, he became a professional golf player. Born in Portrush, Northern Ireland, McDowell was a promising junior Irish golfer. He took a golf scholarship in an American university, specifically the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He studied there from 1998 until 2002. In 2001, McDowell was already a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team. It was their team that retained the Walker Cup at a match in Sea Island, Georgia. By the end of his college years, McDowell received the most outstanding collegiate golfer award – the Haskins Award.

When McDowell turned professional in 2002, he was a sensation to everyone. In just his fourth start on the European tour, McDowell already managed to win the Volvo Scandinavian Masters. McDowell’s second season in the European tour was not so good compared to his first; he didn’t win any titles at all. However, in 2004, McDowell managed to win the Telecom Italia Open and best of all; he finished sixth on the Order of Merit on the European Tour.

In the year 2005, McDowell began playing on the PGA Tours while still maintaining his performance on the European tour. Though he was not yet an official member of the PGA Tour at that time, being placed at the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings ensured him numerous invitations to play in the United States. Sure enough, McDowell wowed everybody when he made two top ten finishes on the PGA Tour. One of this two top ten finishes was when he tied for second place at the Bay Hill Invitational. This victory in 2006 gave McDowell enough money to become a fully exempt member on the PGA Tour.

Sadly, in the 2006 PGA Tour, McDowell failed to finish at the top 150 of the money list. This encouraged McDowell to return to playing in the European tours a year later. This year in 2008, McDowell had a great start. He won the first Ballantine’s Championship held in Korea and then he won the Barclays Scottish Open. These victories gave McDowell the opportunity to be included in the 2008 Ryder Cup team which he has been anticipating for in years. So far, McDowell has 8 professional titles with 1 PGA Tour title, 7 European Tour titles, and 1 other minor tournament title. Although he has played in all Major Championships, 2010 marked the year that he won the U.S. Open – his first Major Championship title so far.

Recently, McDowell was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to golf.