The rise of GMac
Monday 21 June 2010 08:21, UK
Having become the first Briton in 40 years to win the US Open, we look back on the rise of Graeme McDowell.
Having become the first Briton in 40 years to win the US Open, we look back on the rise of Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell. 1979: Born Portrush, July 30.1996: Wins Ulster Boys Championship.
1998: Attends the University of Alabama.
1999: Wins Irish Youths Championship.
2000: Further success in the Palmer Cup, Irish Amateur Maury Close Championship, Irish Youths Championship, World Universities Championship and South of Ireland Championship.
2001: Palmer Cup winner again and also part of Great Britain and Ireland team which retains Walker Cup in Georgia.
2002: Wins Haskins Award for most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States. Later turns professional and goes on to win Scandinavian Masters in only his fourth start on the European Tour.
2004: Success in the Italia Open - after a play-off with Thomas Levet - helps him finish sixth on the European Tour Order of Merit.
2005: Divides his time between the European and PGA Tours and earns top-50 placing in the official world rankings.
2006: Fails to finish in the top 150 in 2006 PGA Tour money list.
2007: Competes on the European Tour.
2008: Wins Ballantine's Championship in Korea and Scottish Open. Earns 2.5 points for the European team in the Ryder Cup and finishes the season ranked fifth on the Order of Merit.
2010 - June: Follows success in Celtic Manor Wales Open with victory in the US Open at Pebble Beach, becoming the first Northern Irishman to accomplish the feat and the first European to win the event since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
