Mcdowell Faces Stiff Competition

By Author: Sarfaraz Khan
Total Articles: 25
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Irishman Graeme McDowell will face stiff opposition this week as he defends the Ballantine's Championship at the Pinx Golf Club on the Korean Island of Jeju.

McDowell, who uses a Callaway Fusion FT3 driver, Callaway X-Forged wedges and Callaway X-Tour 3-wood, claimed the crown 12 months ago when he defeated India's Jeev Milkha Singh at the third hole of a sudden death play-off.

He produced one of the best shots of his career, a brilliant seven iron from 179 yards to within a foot of the pin on the 18th to set up the title-clinching birdie. He use own custom fitting golf clubs.

McDowell will launch his defence when the competition, which runs until Sunday, gets underway on Thursday, and he will face competition from the likes of Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood - all of whom are currently among the top 16 in the Official World Golf Ranking- along woth American Fred Couples and the Asian trio of Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng and Liang Wen-chong.

"Defending a tournament is always pretty special. I haven't had the chance to do it too often ...
... and I'm looking forward to going back to the golf course," said McDowell.

" It's an even better field this year and the weather should be even nicer as well, given that this year's tournament is a little later in the season, so the golf course should be fabulous."

McDowell's fellow Irishman Paul McGinley finished third last year but has his sights set on the 2.1 million pound first prize this time and this prize is added big amount in his total winning amount in golf, 2.1 million pound is really a good amount to get hard work and achieve milestone as well in career. His special golf clubs played big roll in this.

"My memory of last year is really that Graeme and Jeev ran away with the tournament," said McGinley. "They turned it into a two-man shootout and I was playing a different tournament, which I managed to win!

"It's a great golf course. I think the conditions will be warmer but there will be more rough on the golf course and it will be a tough test if the wind blows strongly. It's a well designed course, and there is an element that you have to think your way round there.

"We have a very strong field this year and you'll have to play well to win. Everything about the tournament was good last year: great sponsor, great hotel and great course. I'm very much looking forward to it."