Graeme McDowell: NI golfer looking for his & # 039; reconstruction & # 039; after 16th place at US Open

McDowell had a final round of 72 at the US Open

Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland has said he is looking to build on his momentum after returning to the world's top 100 at the US Open.

The former world number four, which had dropped as low as 257th in the rankings, rose to 89th after sharing the 16th position on Pebble Beach.

The performance continued its recent good form, which he saw him seal a place in The Open at Royal Portrush last week.

"I feel like I'm 25 or 30 again and try to go up the ladder," he said.

"I did it once and I thought it might not be so at the time because I missed it a lot when it left.

" I have made good progress [at the the US Open] and it helped to continue my rebuild. The purpose of this is to bring myself back to the top, where I stand with the best players in the world every week

"Going back to the top 100 is a big step and I value it as a lot more than I have ever done. It requires consistency and great wave – I am very proud of how I have been able to ground in the last six months. "

Portrush man McDowell had a 30- foot putt on the 18th hole to finish right in eighth place at the Canadian Open earlier this month and qualify for what his birthplace will be Open in July.

McDowell ended two shots behind five-under-par Rory McIlroy on Pebble Beach

The 39-year-old is looking forward to participating in an event that he helped bring to Royal Portrush, and is also excited about the Irish Open at Lahinch before that time.

"I made a few adjustments to my golf bag, with my three iron and five wood, especially to make the ball roll a little more over the ground," McDowell continued.

"I haven't been to Lahinch for a long time and it goes without saying that I can't wait to go to Portrush to play The Open.

" I'm going to go there for a few days to the Irish Open to get my left groove up early so that by the time I return to Portrush I will know what I am doing. "

The Irish Open takes place at Lahinch from July 4-7, while The Open is at Royal Portrush from July 18-21.