Graeme McDowell has a chance to secure a homecoming spot at this year’s Open Championship in Royal Portrush with three spots up for grabs at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Major champions McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are three of the standout players in this week’s 156-man field at Macau Golf and Country Club, and are eager to take the opportunity offered by The International Series and Asian Tour to punch their ticket to the Open.
The R&A will also give one spot in The Open to the leading player not already exempt in the top five of the 2025 Individual Season Standings following LIV Golf Dallas.
McDowell has not made a major championship appearance since his ten year major exemption for winning the 2010 US Open ran out in 2020, and has not competed for the Claret Jug since the 2019 Open in Portrush, his hometown.
The 45-year-old is exited for the opportunity this week but also feels there is light at the end of the tunnel for LIV players who can also earn exemptions into this year’s US Open via the individual standings on the Saudi backed tour.
“Yeah, obviously it’s a great opportunity next week in Macau to have three Open Championship spots,” said McDowell whose return to Portrush would be extra special after he had a hole on the course named after him.
“Especially for me with it being Royal Portrush, my hometown, there’s a little bit of extra motivation there.
“But I feel like I’m starting to feel more comfortable with what I’m trying to do out here.
“I feel like the first couple of seasons, I really didn’t have a purpose. I didn’t really know what my purpose was.
“I’m really starting to kind of see the light again as pathways to these Majors start to emerge again.
“Small, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for sure.”
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