McDowell named golfer of the month

Northern Ireland’s emerging golf star Graeme McDowell, who triumphed in the Volvo Scandinavian Masters in just his fourth tournament on The European Tour, has been named as the Asprey Golfer of the Month for August.

In securing this prestigious award, the 23-year-old European tour rookie from Portrush, who, before he turned professional, won the world university championship and starred in the Britain and Ireland team when they retained the Walker Cup last year, follows in the footsteps of Ernie Els.

The big South African claimed the award for July on the strength of his victory in the grueling wind and rain-lashed Open Championship at Muirfield.

In winning the Scandinavian Masters at Kungsängen in Stockholm, McDowell posted rounds of 64-73-66-67 for a 14-under-par total of 270 to beat South Africa’s strong-closing Trevor Immelman by a stroke.

He was voted August’s winner by a panel consisting of golf writers, television and radio personalities and Asprey and European Tour representatives, according to the official European Tour website.

Other August winners considered included Thomas Björn (BMW International Open), Paul Lawrie (The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open), Adam Mednick (North West of Ireland Open), Craig Parry (WGC- NEC Invitational) and Adam Scott (Diageo Scottish PGA Championship).

Justin Rose, who was fifth in the WGC – NEC Invitational, and Sam Torrance, third in the Diageo Scottish PGA Championship, received “honourable mentions” by the panel.

Edward Asprey, New Business Director of Asprey, said of McDowell’s maiden success, “It was wonderful to see a player make the transition from amateur to professional golf so swiftly and in such style.

“Sergio Garcia took six attempts to win his first title and Tiger Woods five. For Graeme to secure his victory in four starts is a tremendous achievement.”

McDowell, currently competing in the Bell Canadian Open, was delighted with his award.

“I am naturally thrilled to get it ahead of so many other deserving candidates. Three months ago I could not have imagined being in this position.”

Previous winners of the award this year include Justin Rose (for January and May), José Maria Olazábal (February), Ernie Els (March and July), Retief Goosen (April) and Miles Tunnicliff (June).

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