Graeme McDowell believes Ireland have as good a chance as anyone of team success at this week’s ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf.
McDowell will partner Shane Lowry for the Emerald Isle and, while the competition is primarily an individual strokeplay event, the former US Open Champion insists the team competition is still at the forefront of his thoughts.
“I’m very excited to be here with Shane, back down in an amazing part of the world at one of the greatest golf courses in the world,” said The Ryder Cup star.
“The team element is something we are both very passionate about and we would love to be sitting in here Sunday evening as team victors.
“There are some great teams and some great individual players in the tournament this week and between the two of us I feel like we have got a great shot.
“But there is a lot of golf to play and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.
“From myself and Shane's point of view, you will see we are wearing similar colours. We are passionate about the team element this week and I think it is important that all of the players get behind that.
“The individual of course is very important and, there is some large prize money and world raking points at stake this week, but I think the World Cup will forever be about the winning team and representing your country.”
Ireland last won the World Cup in 1997, when Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley triumphed at Kiawah Island, while McDowell and Rory McIlroy were runners-up four years ago in China.
“We would love to win the individual as well and to win the team,” added McDowell.
“We are very passionate about standing there as a team, winning it on Sunday night - that would be special.”
The famed Royal Melbourne track could also play into Ireland’s hands, according to World Number 12 McDowell.
Not only is the links feel something both he and Lowry are familiar with, but the 34 year old believes the course’s difficulty could make it difficult for some of the less experienced teams.
“It is just a great test and I feel like it will bring cream to the top this weekend for sure,” added McDowell.
“The top players I think will shine and maybe the less experienced players will have a problem on this golf course.
“Myself and Shane feel like we are as good and experienced as anybody in the field this week and hopefully we can be playing together late on Sunday afternoon.”
Lowry shared McDowell’s optimism, with the 26 year old excited to have a Major Champion as his team-mate.
“To play with a player like Graeme, we really feel that the two of us have a shot this week,” said the two-time European Tour winner.
“We are going out to play well, there is no reason why not and we will try and bounce off each other and hopefully if we can see each other's name up on that leaderboard out on the course it will give us the edge.”
