Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell held off a strong field to earn his 16th professional win, his 11th on the European Tour , with a 2 shot victory at the Saudi International . The win was the 40 year old’s first in 5 and half years and has no doubt propelled him into the thoughts of Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington . McDowell began the final round one shot clear of his 2014 Ryder Cup partner Victor Dubuisson, but the French man fell to sixth on seven-under after a 74. The blustery playing conditions at Al Murooj Golf Course may have given the Portrush native a sense of home and the famed Dunluce links at Royal Portrush as his battling qualities saw him hole a 25-foot birdie at the 14th followed by another from three feet at the next to move three clear.
Opening up a 3 shot lead. @Graeme_McDowell is in control with 3 to play at the #SaudiIntlGolf ? pic.twitter.com/dQMx3MqZbx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 2, 2020
The defending champion Dustin Johnson had an eagle on the last hole to leave him 2 shots off the lead with a closing 67 but McDowell’s experience same him over the line as he made 3 consecutive pars .
A winner once more ?@Graeme_McDowell wins the #SaudiIntlGolf. pic.twitter.com/wCUViRoomZ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 2, 2020
The 2010 US Open champion came away with a cheque for over €500,000 and now finds himself once again inside the top 50 players in the world, a position he will hope to cement in the coming months to allow him to make a 5th Ryder Cup appearance for Team Europe in this years event at Whistling Straits. 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry was also in the field and produced a steady performance for the week that saw him finish in a tie for 13th after a final round of 69.