Graeme McDowell says the heat is off now he has finally arrived at Congressional as he prepares to defend his US Open title.
McDowell says the pressure is off now he has handed back the US Open trophy
Graeme McDowell says the heat is off now he has finally arrived at Congressional as he prepares to defend his US Open title.
The Northern Irishman won his first major at Pebble Beach 12 months ago but is happy to draw a line under that chapter of his career.
While enjoying a stellar year that also saw him win the crucial point for Europe in the Ryder Cup, McDowell admitted he was glad to have handed back the trophy so he can start looking forward again.
"It's tough to look forward when all everybody wants to talk about is the past, but this is my last bit of talking and I'm really happy it's all done," he said.
"It's bizarre because if anything I feel like the glare's off me this week. Somehow, having arrived here, I feel like I've done it now.
"I've handed my trophy back and I'm ready to sort of get on with the rest of my career.
"I've got nothing to defend this week. I'm level par Thursday morning the same as everyone else."
McDowell has struggled to maintain that form in the early part of 2011, carding an 81 when in contention at the Wales Open two weeks ago, but he still sets a high standard for himself.
"Can I ever top 2010? I probably can't top the way it felt to win my first major championship and to hole the winning putt at the Ryder Cup, but I can have a similar competitive year," he added.
"I'm here at a US Open for the first time believing in myself that I can win on a US Open set-up because I did it last year.
"I felt different on the golf course yesterday. I really felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders already."
McDowell visited Congressional in early May and with the course playing much longer then, he left with feelings of trepidation.
But things are different now. "There's always a bit of a danger coming to a major championship venue weeks in advance - the course can change so significantly," he said.
"It was a lot softer, a lot colder and it was playing substantially longer. I really enjoyed it yesterday. I thought with the firmer and faster fairways it was very playable.
"The course doesn't feel long any more. The 11th (a 494-yard uphill par four) played down wind and I hit eight iron - when I came here eight weeks ago I played it off the very back tee and hit driver, three wood short.
"It's amazing how a course can change. I don't think length is a massive issue at all - I think accuracy off the tee is key because these greens are so firm you're going to have to be able to control your flight.
"I don't really see a lot of opportunities for guys biting off too much of these corners. You've got to shape the ball around trees and you've got to find fairways.
"Someone asked me what type of player does this favour. I'm still trying to work that out, but it's certainly not a bomber."
