McDowell believes record could go

By Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent Last updated: 28th July 2010

Graeme McDowell believes the European Tour's first-ever 59 is possible this week - just days after he achieved the magic figure for the first time in his life.

The US Open champion was playing with his father, uncle and a friend at the Valley course in Portrush when he had 12 birdies and a bogey.

"I was quite nervous actually - it's like a 147 in snooker, although maybe not quite as good as that," said McDowell.

"I was sort of trying to put pressure on myself and said I needed to birdie two of the last four.

"Then I got them and needed a par at the 195-yard last. As soon as I hit my five-iron to 12 feet I thought, 'Done it - I'm not going to three-whack from there'.

"The second putt was about six inches and it was a special feeling. I've always dreamt of doing it."

McDowell is now in Killarney for the 3 Irish Open which starts on Thursday, and on a par-71 course measuring 7,161 yards - more than 700 yards longer than the one on which he scored 59 - low scoring is expected, especially after rain today softened it up.

"It could happen," said the Ulsterman on the possibility of someone breaking the Tour record of 60 which has been achieved 14 times.

"If it remains soft and not much wind I think the putting surfaces are good enough - that's the key to shooting very low."

Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent