McDowell, who has struggled in his two seasons with the breakaway body, will again be a member of the Smash GC under the captaincy of Brooks Koepka, with fellow team members being Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak.
It is understood the formal contract ensuring McDowell’s membership of the team will be signed on Wednesday.
“I’m super excited, all being well, to play under Brooks again next year”, said McDowell.
“I really enjoyed myself this year. It’s a phenomenal team with Talor (Gooch) and Jason (Kokrak). Brooks is the best major player of the last ten years and he’s a world class guy to be hanging around with.
“It’s going to be an important year as the sand in the egg timer becomes less and less, so every year it becomes more and more important. I always thought when I got to this part of my life that I would be in cruise control and everything would be gravy and you would just be playing for the love of the game.
“It’s quite the opposite as I feel like the pressure mounts as the sun starts to set. The questions I ask myself are, do I have two seasons, do I have three seasons who knows? I feel that the pressure mounts every year as I want to prolong my career.
“So, I’m still taking my golf pretty seriously as I move into next year and what is going to be an important year for me, and I know I can do better and the competitive fire still burns strong inside me”.
McDowell was speaking soon after ending his 22nd year in the pro ranks birdieing the 72nd hole in posting a closing round 66 for a seven-under tally and share 61st place with Smash GC colleague Gooch at the PIF Saudi International in Riyadh.
“It doesn’t matter what you shoot as it’s always nice to birdie the last and it will make that first Coke Zero taste good”, McDowell said smiling.
“I haven’t had the feeling for the last couple of months, so this week will be a good kick start to a good working break over the Festive Season.
“As well, I have about two to three pro-member events to play over at the Baker’s Bay club in The Bahamas where I am a member as well as one in January with a really good friend of mine who owns the Old Memorial (Just north of Tampa in Florida), while I’ll play a couple of semi-competitive games and all with a view of being ready for next year.
“So, I will use these next two months constructively”.
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