McDowell wins in Mexico

Fate has a peculiar way of giving back.

Graeme McDowell said he hopes his first PGA Tour victory in more than two years can act as a springboard to Major championship glory on Monday (Nov 16) after clinching a play-off victory in the weather-hit OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Fathauer was at 16-under 197.

He started the year at No. 15 in the world and has fallen all the way to No.85. All good in other words.

The Irishman shared the lead at 19-under-par with Knox when the final round was abandoned on Sunday due to poor light, while Bohn was still in contention on 68.

“I could tell from the audience it was a pretty good shot and thankfully it wasn’t much longer than a two-and-a-half footer left to take care of it”. McDowell plans to finish his season’s work at this week’s McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, where he played Walker Cup back in 2001.

For now, though, McDowell’s move into the off-season – and Christmas at home in Florida with his family – will be something to look forward to.

“So this is special”, he said after securing victory.

“I think if I just go out and do what I came here to do, I’d like to see where it puts me at the end of the day because if I just stick to my plan, I’ll be happy no matter what happens”.

“I feel like I’ve got enough resources to pull on going into a weekend like this one”. “I thought it would be maybe not quite as soon as this, and I said to myself that I was really going to appreciate it. And I do appreciate it. This feels really nice”. This year has been a grind. He pitched down to within four feet but his chance was gone as McDowell gobbled up his opportunity.

Bohn was cruising along with four birdies on his front nine and then followed a birdie at the 12th with an eagle at the par-five 13th before a lightning delay halted play for about 90 minutes.

Knox needed just a par at the last to take the title but carded a bogey to match his rival’s score. I’ve got to embrace it, have fun and realize where I am. “Thankfully my second ball kicked in bounds”. “Because I didn’t, I don’t deserve it”.

The shoot-out was settled as the trio returned to the 18th, where McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, nearly holed his approach with a 5-iron from around 200 yards and rolled in a two-footer for the birdie. “I was thinking six-iron to be honest and he [my caddie] said five-iron”. “I’m trying to play better”.