Graeme McDowell: Portrush man focuses on returning to hometown for The Open

I couldn't bear being in The Open if I didn't qualify – McDowell

Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland has revealed that he would not be able to attend the Open in July if he did not qualify for the championship.

The tournament takes place at Royal Portrush, at McDowell & # 39; s hometown, but he would find it too hard to be there if he wasn't playing.

The 39-year-old world number 115 has not yet won enough ranking points to qualify for the last major in 2019.

"I am not sure if I could be there for a week if I don't make it, "he said.

"I am sure I will get TV and business opportunities to be there, but it would be very difficult if I were not playing.

" I have a few obligations that I have to fulfill early in the week, but if I'm not in the tournament, then maybe I can just do that and get out of there.

"I don't think I can see the best players in the world because I don't want to play alone – I want to be there and compe

" It's my dream to be there on the last nine to be present on the Sunday afternoon and to be a short distance away. All the Guinness in the world couldn't keep me there if I wasn't playing. "

McDowell had slipped to 257th place in the world ranking ranking of a career fourth

Despite the fact that he is not assured of a place in The Open, the 2010 American open champion is convinced that he will play at Royal Portrush – and even he hinted get an exemption from the R & A.

"There are several ways in which I feel I should get some kind of shout from the R & A for an exemption if I get there really need one, "continued McDowell

" That is a lifeline if the worst were to become the worst and I was still not in the field by the end of June, but I don't want to trust that.

"I want to put that aside, put my head down, play hard for the coming months and do everything I can to get myself into the tournament through my own rights. "

In an Attempt to Give At every opportunity to qualify, McDowell participated in the last qualifying tournament in Royal Lytham & St Annes in early July.

Portrush man, who rides in four Ryder Has played Cups for Europe and had a career-high world ranking of fourth place in 2011, ended a four-year wait for a tournament win when he founded the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in March.

His form and confidence fell significantly during those four years and he admitted that he feared his career might end.

"It's all relative, but there were certainly some low moments," he added.

"I faced the difficult questions – & # 39; am I ready? & # 39; and & # 39; is this the end? & # 39; but I am thankful that I have a great family and a great team around me that helped me keep.

"I knew I would miss the game if it was gone. In the second commitment I committed myself half the last year that I started enjoying myself more and embracing the game, then good ones started things to happen. "

McDowell won silverware in the Dominican Republic in March

Pride and patriotism

With The Open returns to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years, McDowell recognizes how unique this year an event would be in his home club be.

"It can be the most proud moment in my life (in terms of) being patriotic about where I come from," he said.

"I now live in America and I have a huge respect for the patriotism of this country when it comes to their military personnel and sporting events.

" It is a special country. When they wave the flag, I sometimes regret what I felt about where I came from.

McDowell and his countryman Rory McIlroy have both talked about difficulties they have encountered in the past concerning their nationality, especially in the run-up to the 2016 Olympic Games when both golfers were playing the dilemma in Rio or in Britain or Ireland.

"Northern Ireland in the last 70 years is not really a place to be proud of," McDowell said.

"Brilliant work has been done and it is now a great place.

" There came The Open and the best player in the world comes to Portrush, with millions and millions of people all over the world world viewing the beautiful scenes on the north coast of Ireland

"For the first time in my life it can be something that I am very, very patriotic about."

The 2019 Open at Royal Portrush takes place from July 18-21.