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McDowell: last year's winner

GOLF NIGHT
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Golf Night caught up with Graeme McDowell as he prepares to defend his tile at Loch Lomond.

Last year McDowell carded a final round 68 at Loch Lomond to finish 13 under par, two shots ahead of South African James Kingston, with Australia's Richard Green and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez a shot further back in third.

"It is always nice to be back at Loch Lomond - obviously I am very biased but I have always liked coming here and it is a great golf course," McDowell told Golf Night.

"Last year was one of the very special weeks in my career and I hope to get myself back in the mix this weekend. It is nice to be back."

McDowell remembers 2008 with much joy and while the adrenaline did start to flow he remembers he did have some time to savour the victory.

"James birdied the 11th to go two ahead at the time but then he double bogeyed 12th to let me back in. I birdied 13 and 14 - he made bogey on the 15th and I birdied it which took me three shots ahead.

"I remember walking up to the 16th with a three shot lead and that is when I started to get a little nervous. I had never been in that position before.

I found the fairway which was half the battle and I think at that point I knew I could really win. Even in my nervous and pumped up state I knew I could get the ball in the hole in two shots and then had a chance to savour it all a little bit.

"It was the biggest win of my career so far - I had my Mum and Dad in the crowd and it was the first time they had watched me win as a pro golfer so that was very special.

"It is just one of the most spectacular venues in Europe and winning here is no better feeling in the world really."