McDowell feeling sharp, ready

Abu Dhabi: Graeme McDowell, winner of the Dubai World Championship (DWC) late last year, feels an early start to the season will help him improve on his past performances at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship which tees off tomorrow.

"I haven't really performed all that well here in the past but typically coming in off five, six, seven weeks off. It's little different this year, having played two weeks ago and I'm feeling ... a lot sharper," McDowell said.

Speaking at a pre-event press conference yesterday, the Northern Ireland ace was all praise about the quality of the field in the European Tour event as well the giant strides the game had made in this part of the world.

"To have as many top players as they have this week, it's just a quality field, quality golf course and should be a great week," said McDowell, who was part of a star-studded field at the Emirates Invitational event at Yas Links on Monday.

‘Strength to strength'

"Golf in the Middle East seems to be going from strength to strength. I'm involved with the Al Naboodah Group, which seems to be a big part of why golf is growing in the Middle East as it is."

"Certainly, this is a part of the world we are spending an increasing amount of time in, and it's great to come back every year and see how the city has grown and seeing the changes around here," he said.

"You know, we certainly enjoyed coming back here. We get very well looked after by the tournament. This golf course has gone from strength to strength, and it sounds like the tournament is only going to get better," he said.

Asked how the course felt during the practice round yesterday, he said: "I just played a few holes out there today and having a look at the slightly new version of this course with some small changes off the tee. Fairways are very narrow and the rough is very thick. It's looking like a really great test this week."

‘Perfect captain'

Speaking on his expectations from José Maria Olazábal as the new Ryder Cup captain, the member of the victorious team in last edition said: "He's [Olazabal] is a very honest, very emotional, very open guy. I got to know him very well that week, and you know, he's just a legend. I think he's going to be a great Ryder Cup Captain. He's a perfect captain for the states."

"He's loved all over the world, and obviously two time Masters Champion. I think he's going to be a great talisman for the European Ryder Cup Team."

The last year was an extremely rewarding one for McDowell, as he also received the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). What were his gains from the season?

"Mainly just confidence, momentum and belief in myself really. One of the goals that I have for 2011 is to keep working hard and keep the work ethic up and keep working on the things that I did to get me to where I am right now, and of course, not take the game for granted."