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McDowell buoyed by memories of key victory
Jeju, Korea, 22 April 2009 - The memories have been flooding back for Graeme McDowell as he prepares to defend his Ballantine’s Championship title in Korea this week.
The Northern Irishman triumphed in last year’s inaugural tournament, edging out India’s Jeev Milkha Singh on the third hole of a sudden death playoff.
McDowell is back at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju and is buoyed by recollections of that dramatic victory.
“It’s always nice to come back to a venue where you’ve won. You remember a lot of the great shots you’ve hit,” he said.
“Winning this tournament last year was pretty special for me. It was my first tournament victory in four years, so it was huge for a number of reasons. It really got my season off and running.
“With it being a Ryder Cup year, I had great aspirations to make the Ryder Cup team.
“And there’s no feeling quite like winning, the confidence you gain from it is second to none. It drives you on and it pushed me into having a great season.
“There’s no doubt, I look back and see winning the Ballantine’s Championship last year as a big jumping block for the rest of the year.”
After his 2008 win, McDowell went on to enjoy the best season of his career, adding the Scottish Open title and making his Ryder Cup debut.
But he faces a tough challenge to hang on to his crown at Pinx.
The stellar line-up for the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship includes three-time Major winner Ernie Els and former Masters champion Fred Couples.
World No.9 Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood – an 18-time winner on the European Tour – are also teeing it up.
The €2.1 million showpiece is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA.
McDowell acknowledged the size of his task.
“It’s been a long time since I defended a title, since 2005. But just because I won last year, it doesn’t mean I have any right to come and win the tournament again this weekend,” he said.
“Yes, I like the golf course, but we’ve got a great field here this year, a lot of good players, and we’re all level par standing on the first tee tomorrow morning.
“Having said that, I feel like my form is good enough and if I can play my own game, I can certainly compete this weekend.”
McDowell underlined his liking for Pinx when his team won Wednesday’s pro-am tournament – although he was quick to deflect any praise.
“It felt pretty nice out there this morning. Obviously this course has been good to me, but the win today wasn’t really much of my doing,” he said.
“I played quite nicely and made a few birdies, but it was all down to my team, believe me!”
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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.: