French Open: Graeme McDowell refusing to panic despite poor run of form
Graeme McDowell is hoping to rediscover his best form in this week's French Open at Le Golf National near Paris.
Last Updated: 03/07/13 2:27pm
The 33-year-old Northern Irishman has missed the cut in five of his last six strokeplay events after being forced to take another weekend off during last weekend's Irish Open.
McDowell has, however, managed to notch wins this year at the RBC Heritage the week after the Masters and the World Match Play in Bulgaria to prove he still has what it takes.
"Obviously that Volvo World Match Play offsets some really average golf for me I suppose," said McDowell.
"I really just haven't had enough course time the last couple of months and that was highlighted at the US Open - he shot rounds of 76 and 77 at Merion - and it was highlighted a little bit last week in Ireland, missing by one there.
"I thought I had snuck in for the weekend and I could have done with a couple of extra rounds of golf under my belt, but used the weekend constructively, hit a lot of balls.
"I feel like, thankfully, I've got a couple of victories under the belt this year to offset maybe the panic button being hit. It is a good thing to be coming into this run of golf fresh I suppose. I've got a lot of golf coming up here the next few months.
"The game's not in terrible shape to be honest with you. It's been a fine line here and there. The motivation's there and I'm feeling hungry and ready to go this summer.
"I've worked very hard the last 10 days or so and I've probably hit as many balls in the last 10 days as I have in a couple of months really. I could do with a weekend here where I compete and play four rounds, get the old juices flowing."
McDowell is one of three players in the world's top 10 competing in Paris, the world No 9 being joined by eighth-ranked Englishman Luke Donald and American Matt Kuchar, who is fifth in the standings.