Graeme McDowell saved his best for last as he ended his Masters Tournament adventure with a four under par 68, and believes he is now ready to challenge at Augusta National in the future.
The former US Open Champion from Northern Ireland had six birdies and two bogeys at Augusta National as he ended the week two under par, climbing into the top 20 as a result.
“I guess it probably reminds me that I need to be more patient with myself,” said The Ryder Cup hero, who left himself too much ground to make up with an opening 75.
“I came off the golf course here on Thursday and I probably could have done with ten minutes just to try and let the steam, the fog clear because I just bogeyed the last couple of holes.
“I had played so negatively, and that frustrates me. That frustrates me when I play that negative because I don't give myself a chance to play. I had no chance with the attitude that I had that day.
“I guess I get disappointed with myself more when my attitude is wrong, so I reset that attitude and came out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and was a little bit better. It was nice to play better on the days when I'm on, and nice to finish with a career low 68 here at Augusta.”
The 32 year old is hoping to put his experience from the week to good effect in the future.
“I'd love this tournament to be starting tomorrow,” he added. “I'd love this tournament to be starting tomorrow because I fancy my chances.
“The golf course as wet as it was on Thursday and Friday was not the golf course for me. I am just not driving it long enough, not shaping it from right to left well enough, and I was able to handle a little bit more these firmer fairways.
“I'm looking forward to many more Augustas, many more Masters championships, and like I said, I'd love to put that Green Jacket on my back. But that was another couple of rounds towards achieving that goal sometime.”
