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Graeme McDowell says that the fear of being a ‘one-hit wonder’ in the majors is his motivation going into this week’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

The Northern Irishman won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and, although he has come close to adding to that victory, finishing tied-second at the same events two years later and tied-fifth at the 2012 Open, the 34-year-old has so far been unable to enter the distinguished realm of multiple major winners.

That, he insists, is something that he will use as a driving force at Hoylake this week.

“I certainly don’t want to be a one-hit wonder,” said McDowell, who successfully defended the French Open two weeks ago. “I’ve learned a lot over the last few years since my US Open victory.

“I want to give myself as many opportunities as I can to win majors. It’s hard to win. Week in, week out, there’s so many great players in the world. Winning regular tournaments is hard enough. Winning the majors is something different, something special.

“I’d give my left arm for the Claret Jug.” – Graeme McDowell

“I feel like I’m more ready than I’ve ever been to win another major.”

McDowell added that an Open Championship victory would be especially sweet.

“The Open is special,” he said. “Augusta has that kind of same mystique and tradition because of the venue and what it creates and kind of walking in the footsteps of the greats. But the Open seems to maintain that mystique as it goes around to various golf courses. It maintains that kind of pride, tradition and history, and the Claret Jug is a bit special.

“I’d give my left arm for the Claret Jug. I would, actually. That would be the end of my career, but it would be a nice way to go!”

Follow Graeme McDowell & Co. with bunkered

Keep up-to-date with all the latest goings with Graeme McDowell and the rest of the field from the 2014 Open Championship direct from the bunkered team. Follow us on Twitter (@BunkeredOnline) and Facebook (facebook.com/BunkeredMagazine).


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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