Family and fatherhood frees up Graeme McDowell

Dubai: Graeme McDowell says married life and fatherhood have given him the equilibrium off the golf course to challenge for the major prizes on it over the next four to five years. The Northern Irishman, 35, married Kristin Stape in September 2013 and she gave birth to their daughter, Vale Esme, in August last year.

That dual responsibility in his personal life has understandably allowed McDowell to approach his professional career in a whole new light, with an emphasis on excelling when it matters most.

“Things are certainly good in my life off the golf course, which I feel is giving me the mental space and mental energy to re-motivate and refocus myself on the next four or five years ahead and trying to be the best I can be,” the 2010 US Open champion said. “There’s certainly been a shift in my life over the last couple of years.”

McDowell’s 2015 season begins this week here at Emirates Golf Club, which he believes represents his greatest chance of victory of any of the four European Tour events based in the Middle East region.“This is a classic golf course – there’s no doubt about it,” he explained. “Length certainly helps around here, but there is obviously a huge premium on accuracy.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com