McDowell and McIlroy look for more
Top pupils Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are giving themselves just six out of ten for their first Ryder Cup examination.
The Ulster pair believe the will have to improve on their showing in the Omega European Masters if they are to make Colin Montgomerie’s 2010 side for Wales.
McIlroy wasn’t happy with his efforts despite closing with a brilliant 64 to share seventh in the Swiss Alps and go to joint fifth in the European Points List.
He confessed: “My report card would say ‘could have done much better’. I’d mark the four days in Switzerland a 6 out of 10.
“I shot myself in the foot on Friday by dropping three shots in two holes near the end of my round and I then didn’t get off to the best of starts on Saturday.
“So that’s why I’ve marked down my effort even though it was great to shoot a 64 and get myself into seventh.”
McDowell finished 32nd in Crans after another erratic performance with the driver.
And while McIlroy jetted off to Seoul yesterday to play in the Kolon Korean Open, McDowell insisted he would be heading straight to the Callaway van at the €2m Mercedes-Benz Championshp in Cologne to get a new driver
Disappointed with his first start in the 2010 Ryder Cup campaign, McDowell joked: “I’d only give myself a 6 and my caddy Kenny (Comboy) a four, so that's an average of 5.
“As for a comment? ‘Definitely room for improvement’.
“I just haven’t been in the groove with my golf swing all year and it’s just frustrating. The key is that I am not driving the golf ball well. I’ve got no control of it.
“It’s just a little lack of confidence and maybe a slight equipment adjustment is required.
“I was saying to Kenny going up 17 on Sunday that we need a little bit more spin off the driver, and spin keeps the ball more on line.
“I think I am trying to knuckle it a bit too much and that is causing the ball move off line so quickly.
“So my first stop on Tuesday when I get to the course in Cologne will be to see the Callaway guys.
“I phoned them last night and told them to have the computer equipment out, and to expect me bright and early tomorrow morning.”
McDowell knows he can perform in Cologne after giving Padraig Harrington a run for the title five years ago
He said: “It is a big driver’s golf course and it’s one I like. So if I can just get the ball in the fairway, I would be dangerous.”
With McIlroy opting to play in Korea, England’s Lee Westwood can steal a March on the Holywood ace in the Race to Dubai standings.
The Worksop man is €89,474 behind third ranked McIlroy but can leapfrog his stablemate and close the gap on the leaders with a top four finish.
Ireland's Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Michael Hoey, Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Gareth Maybin will also be in action.