Graeme McDowell is determined not to put Europe captain Colin Montgomerie in a position where he needs to be Ryder Cup wild card.
Graeme McDowell is determined not to put Europe captain Colin Montgomerie in a position where he needs to be Ryder Cup wild card. The 30-year-old plays England's Luke Donald in the opening round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona knowing that Montgomerie rates his partnership with fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy. Fourth seed McIlroy plays against American Kevin Na in Arizona, and regular practice partner McDowell wants to remind Montgomerie that the pair function well as a match-play pair. McDowell made his Ryder Cup debut two years ago and came away with 2½ points out of four. "It's good for the Ryder Cup that Monty knows Rory and I play well together," he continued. "I'm in a slightly different position to two years ago because I'm a legitimate pick now. Last time I wasn't. "
If my game's in good shape and I still just miss out I've got a great shot at getting a pick. Not just because of Rory but because I did decently last time and I'm renowned as a good team player. That's great but obviously I want to qualify automatically." McDowell admits that he wants to improve his recent Match Play Championship record. "
I've had three first-round exits and a second-round exit in this, so that's not great," said McDowell. "
For a guy who rates himself a good match-play player, which I do, I haven't had a run in this yet."