Graeme McDowell will partner Ian Poulter as part of this week’s QBE Shootout where 12 two-man teams compete from the 13-15 at Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.
The experienced European duo finished ninth the last time they played together in 2008. It’s been a stellar 2019 for McDowell who picked up his fourth PGA Tour career victory this year at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. All told, next year’s Irish Open host rose 120 places in the world rankings and is currently 118th in the standings as he continues his ascent back towards the top tier of professional golf.
Poulter’s last win in the U.S. was at the 2018 Houston Open while combined, the twosome has won 32 times on both the PGA Tour and European Tour and they will hope to rekindle some of their Ryder Cup team magic in order to mount a challenge from Friday amongst a hot field in Florida.
No twosome this week will prove more exciting than rising stars of the PGA Tour, Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff who are among the new partnerships on show and it’s no wonder then that tournament host, Greg Norman is excited about the line-up ahead of competition time.
“We are pleased to round out the field with such a quality group of players and equally thrilled with the compelling teams we’ve been able to put together,” Norman said.
“These dynamic duos comprised of young guns, recent Tour winners and established veterans are sure to create an exciting three days of competition.”
The 24-person QBE Shootout field features nine players who won during this past season and a total of 80 career PGA Tour and LPGA victories, as well as eight of the top-50 players in the world. There are also eight first-time participants in the annual event.
There are nine new teams competing for the $3.5 million purse. The three returning teams are defending champs Brian Harman and Patton Kizzire; Billy Horschel and Brandt Snedeker, who played in 2018; and the return of the team of GMac and Poulter, who were paired together in 2008.
LPGA star Lexi Thompson will be playing for the fourth straight year. This year she will be paired with Sean O’Hair, who won the QBE Shootout with two different partners, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry.
The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday and a final-round four-ball on Sunday.
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