Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell won his first PGA Tour title since April 2013 with victory at the first play-off hole in the OHL Classic in Mexico.
The 2010 US Open winner admits the barren run – his last victory anywhere was at the French Open 16 months ago – left him questioning his ability after dropping out of the world’s top 50.
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But after handing the initiative to fellow co-leader Russell Knox by bogeying the 16th as the rain-delayed tournament went into an extra day he seized his second chance at the first play-off hole with a brilliant approach to two feet for birdie to guarantee himself a place at next year’s Masters and PGA Championship.
“It really gives me something to grab onto,” he said. “You go through a year like this and you think ‘am I finished? Am I good enough?’
“It has been a tough year but this is special. I have been dreaming of this day and I said to myself I was going to appreciate it when it came.”
.@Graeme_McDowell‘s recent finishes: T52 T26 T52 T56 CUT CUT T49 CUT T17 CUT Win Golf is a funny game. pic.twitter.com/YrQb9HMvNu
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 16, 2015
McDowell began the day tied with Knox on 19 under after Sunday’s final day was cut short by storms but after a brief stoppage for more rain Knox made his move with a birdie at the 13th.
The Scot, chasing back-to-back victories after winning the WGC-HSBC Champions last week, handed that shot at the next but it was McDowell’s error in leaving his par putt in the jaws of the hole at the 16th which opened the door.
As the Northern Irishman posted the clubhouse lead on 18-under – holing a nerveless 10-footer for par – Knox stood on the 18th tee needing a par-four for victory.
However, he pulled his drive into a bunker, came up short of the green and missed from 15 feet for victory.
