Player Profile: Graeme McDowell

On Sunday, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell won his first tournament in two years at the World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods. This week's player profile follows McDowell's recent progress as he returns to winning ways.

33-year-old McDowell has enjoyed a successful professional golf career. After making his debut on the European Tour in 2002, the Northern Irishman has spent a decade racking up wins on both sides of the Atlantic. McDowell has won six times on the European Tour, with his first win having come in his rookie year at the Volvo Scandinavian Masters. Twenty-three years old at the time of his first win, McDowell kept up his game to win the 2004 Telecom Italia Open, the 2008 Ballantine's Championship and Barclays Scottish Open, and the 2010 Celtic Manor Wales Open and Andalucia Masters.

McDowell won the U.S. Open in 2010, adding a major victory to his list of achievements despite not being a full-time contender on the PGA Tour – the champion divides his season between the United States and Europe.

After a successful 2010 season, McDowell experienced something of a winning drought during 2011 – a trend that continued this season. Despite placing in the top 5 at many tournaments over the past two years, victory seemed to elude McDowell as he weathered the competitive playing field that exists in international golf today. Often overshadowed by compatriot and world number one Rory McIlroy, McDowell continued his solid performance this season, until an opportunity for victory on Sunday placed him back in the winner's circle.

Graeme McDowell is a much-loved golfing figure around the world, especially in his native Ireland. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2011 for his outstanding achievements in golf, and remains a strong contender in any international tournament. Golf fans should look forward to many more impressive victories from this talented player.