Client News
McDowell looking forward to title defence
Seoul, Korea, 14 April 2009 - Graeme McDowell is relishing the chance to defend his title at next week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
The Northern Irish star has fond memories of Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju after his dramatic playoff victory in last year’s inaugural tournament.
“Defending a tournament is always pretty special. I haven’t had the chance to do it too often and I’m looking forward to going back to the golf course,” said McDowell.
“It’s an even better field this year and the weather should be even nicer as well, given that this year’s tournament is a little later in the season, so the golf course should be fabulous.
“I’m a little biased as I won last year but I love the course – it’s a very well presented course with great greens.
“Jeju itself is a beautiful island and the hospitality is great. It’s a long trip to get there but when you do arrive you’re rewarded with a wonderful place.”
The €2.1 million Ballantine’s Championship – to be staged from April 23-26 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA.
McDowell heads to Korea buoyed by a strong showing at last week’s Masters where he was the highest placed European, finishing joint 17th.
And he is looking forward to getting reacquainted with the 7,345 yard, par 72 layout at picturesque Pinx – the first Korean club to be named among the World’s 100 Best Courses by Golf Digest in the US and Golf World in the UK in 2005.
The Ryder Cup star showed his liking for the course last year when he and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh ran away from the field, both finishing seven shots clear of Ireland’s Paul McGinley on 24-under-par 264.
McDowell then won on the third hole of the sudden death playoff with one of the best shots of his career, a sublime seven iron from 179 yards to within a foot of the pin on the 18th to set up the title-clinching birdie.
“It’s a breezy island so you have to be able to play well in the wind,” said McDowell.
“Scoring was hot last year but I think there will be more rough this year and the emphasis will be on driving the ball well.
“It’s a difficult finish. The 16th is a real risk reward par five, the 17th is a tricky par three and, of course, the 18th is just a fantastic par four.
“In addition, it’s a fantastic field in Korea so it promises to be a great week.”
McDowell will be joined in the star-studded line-up by three-time Major winner Ernie Els, world No.9 Henrik Stenson and world No.15 Lee Westwood.
Smooth-swinging former Masters champion Fred Couples and Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie, are also taking part.
The full field of 156 players will include the top 60 available players from the official world rankings.
-- ENDS --
Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.