Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who turned professional in June and was playing only his fourth European Tour event, claimed a remarkable victory in the Volvo Scandinavian Masters at Kungsägen in Stockholm.
McDowell, the 12th first time winner on The European Tour this season, carded a closing round of 67 over the course he has recently signed a contract to represent for a 14 under par total of 270. A superb par at the 18th gave him a one-shot victory over playing partner Trevor Immelman of South Africa while the €316,660 first prize secured a valuable two year exemption on the Tour.
Former US PGA Champion Jeff Sluman and Norwegian Henrik Bjornstad were a shot further back, Sluman bogeying the last when a birdie would have forced a play-off. A play-off had looked a distinct possibility all afternoon, especially when McDowell and Immelman stood on the last tee tied at 14 under.
Immelman had the upper hand when McDowell's drive finished under the lip of a fairway bunker forcing the Ulsterman to play out sideways. He was still behind Immelman's drive after two strokes but then played a superb third shot to two feet to save par, while Immelman's approach flew over the green and he was unable to get up and down.
It was not the only demonstration of courage from McDowell during the final day. The former Walker Cup player, who played a leading role in Great Britain and Ireland’s retention of the trophy in Sea Island, Georgia, last year, suffered a dreaded ‘shank’ on the 15th that sent his ball from a greenside bunker into a lake surrounding the green.
It seemed as if that would end his chances but after a penalty drop he pitched to six feet and salvaged a bogey, before holing from 12 feet for a birdie at the next. McDowell, who started the last round at ten under par alongside Sluman and Sweden’s Niclas Fasth, only saw the course for the first time on Tuesday, his 23rd birthday, after his flight to Sweden had been delayed, restricting his practice to just nine holes.
He then produced a course record 64 – subsequently beaten by Per-Ulrik Johansson’s 63 in the third round - to lead after the first day to underline the huge potential he displayed as an amateur. At the University of Alabama, McDowell was ranked Number One Collegiate Golfer in the United States and out of 12 starts he won an incredible six events with a stroke average of 69.6 - better than the previous best returned by Tiger Woods and Luke Donald.
"I've never been happier," said McDowell, who used a putter given to him by Darren Clarke to single putt 12 greens in an amazing final round. "To win in the fashion I did is an incredible feeling. I never dreamed I would do this well in my first six or seven weeks.
"I'm just so excited about what it means for me in the short term. I don't have to go to the Qualifying School, I don't need any more invites and I've got somewhere to play for the next two years.
