Moments before his 8am tee time McDowell told Leader Sport that the game’s biggest stars looked forward to taking part in the 36-hole Pro-Am which is played at a ‘great venue’.
McDowell was making his comeback to tournament play for the first time since landing the US Open in spectacular fashion at Pebble Beach Golf Club last month.
Fourteen Major champions and 13 of the world’s top 16 ranked players, including world number one Tiger Woods, are competing in the fifth JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
Thousands of golf fans ringed the fairways at the magnificent Pro-Am venue from early morning to catch a glimpse of golf’s biggest names showcase their talents.
The pros were joined by a host of celebrity stars who are playing in a team competition.
“It is great to be back in the golf environment. It’s my first time to play in competition since the US Open,” Graeme McDowell told Leader Sport.
“It is great to catch up with everyone, my colleagues, my peers, my friends. Meeting them again probably makes the US Open win sink in a little more.
“I love the golf course here in Adare. It’s fantastic. JP (McManus) puts an amazing event on here every five years. We love to come down here. Obviously we get a great reception from the fans and the crowd. It is a great golf course and a great venue.
“I am facing into a very busy six weeks. I play in the Scottish Open later this week and then it’s on the British Open at St. Andrew’s. I am playing five of the next six weeks. I am looking forward to getting the business head screwed back on.
“Everyone loves coming down here. It’s very relaxed. It is very difficult to come back down from the high of Pebble Beach, but you have to re-set and get ready to go again. These two days in Adare are part of the process. I feel like I am playing the best golf of my life and I just have got to get going again.”
McDowell, whose playing partners included JP McManus’ son Kieran, made the perfect start to his round when recording a birdie three at his opening hole, the 444 yard Par 4 first.
Thirty-year-old McDowell was one of a number of top Irish professionals who attracted a large gallery earlier today. Rory McIlroy and Paul McGinley also wowed the fans with some top class play.
The highlight of the day for many golf fans was reserved for lunch time when world number one Tiger Woods began his bid to win a second JP McManus Invitational Pro Am. Woods, one of a number of US-based players who jetted in overnight from the AT&T National in Philadelphia, won the Pro-Am in 2000.
The world’s top golfer will play his second round at 8am tomorrow when he tees off from the first tee in a four-ball which includes horse racing stars Tony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald.
Pro-Am host, JP McManus said he was delighted that the event provided a unique opportunity for golfing enthusiasts in Ireland and abroad to see the world’s greatest golfers compete in an intimate, friendly and challenging environment.
McManus added: “The other significant aspect of our tournament is that is primarily a fundraising event and all the monies generated go in their entirety to the nominated charities in the Mid West.”
COLM KINSELLA
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