Chris Wood feels Graeme McDowell's US Open success is a huge boost for European golf.
Wood hails McDowell's US Open success as massive for European golf
Hello everyone, did you stay up to watch Graeme McDowell win the US Open on Sunday night?
The tee-times were quite late for us in the UK and I need my sleep so I saw about an hour of play on Sunday night before heading to bed.
But then I woke up at 2am (dodgy curry!) and got up to see Graeme finally bring home a US Open for Europe (the first for 40 years).
It was great to see, not just for Graeme but also Gregory Havret who was playing in the final round of a major with Tiger Woods, something he has never done before, and the way he performed was totally awesome. He was so calm and relaxed, he just never changed his manner or rhythm all day!
That has got to be superb news for his future and I think all Europeans can take heart from it.
Pebble Beach seemed to suit the Europeans, which is perhaps not too surprising as it is windy, cooler than other American courses and a bit links-like.
It certainly suited Graeme and it was brilliant to see him finish off the job, even if I'm not too sure if he has quite realised what he has done yet! I saw his interview after the round and, after all the hard work (in his career, during the week and on the day), I don't think it had quite hit home what he had achieved.
It might take a while but when it does he could step up to another level of performance.
I know Graeme a bit having played with him a few times and also having been a team-mate of his in last year's Vivendi Seve Trophy.
Character
He's a nice guy, one of the most approachable on the tour and he was a really infectious person to have on the team.
I'm sure Monty will be pleased to have him confirmed on the Ryder Cup team not just because he did so well last time but because of what Monty will have seen when he captained our team in that Seve Trophy.
Graeme is just a great character and great team-mate. He formed a good partnership with Rory McIlroy, but in addition to that he was so positive.
I remember when we were leading by seven or eight points it would have been easy to get complacent but he was the one fist-pumping and keeping us all going, urging us on, supporting all the other matches, keeping us on our toes.
You could see it in his eyes - just how much passion he has.
The other thing about Graeme is that, like the other top players in the world, he has done a fine job of getting the right people around him. It is something I have noticed and am trying to repeat for myself.
It's all about making sure that I don't leave any stone unturned. Seeing the success of Graeme only proves to me the importance of preparation and what can happen if you get it right!
When you see other players doing well you find yourself asking the question "Are they doing something I'm not?" There is always something to learn!
This week I should be in Munich to play the BMW International Open but last week turned into something of a disaster so I have had to withdraw.
Atmosphere
I mentioned in my previous column that a water pipe burst in my flat. Well it turned out to be worse than that - the tank itself was burst.
It was pretty bad news and became even more of a nightmare when I got sick and ended up in bed for three days not eating very much at all.
As a consequence I am in no real shape to be playing a tournament and will only start getting back to light training this week.
So that was the bad news, but the good news is that I have at least got to see plenty of the World Cup!
I thought the early games were quite flat in atmosphere but I love my football so that didn't stop me turning on every game in the expectation that it would pick up soon - and eventually it has!
I'm finding it hard to believe that if England can't beat Algeria they can win the trophy itself but I'm quite confident they can win the final group match.
I just think the pressure looks immense on the England team at the moment - like they are playing in straight jackets and we've got no players who seem able to break the shackles with a bit of flair and character.
Fingers crossed though - I'll be watching on Wednesday night!
