The past one month has been quite a ride for Graeme McDowell. The Northern Irishman first announced his engagement to Kristin Stape four weeks back in Dubai and then on Sunday he clinched the World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club.
Despite playing well in patches, McDowell, could not win a single tournament during the last two years.
"For two years I've been saying things like 'processes' and 'trying to get better' and 'be patient' and hopefully the wins will come. I guess I got fed up with telling everybody that I'm playing well, playing well," McDowell said.
In the final day, he finished with a 4-under 68 and won at Sherwood by three shots over Keegan Bradley.
"It's been too long," he added. "It's been a hell of a two years since I sat here as a winner. "We all put winning up on a pedestal as the ultimate goal.
"We like to say that it's all about the process and going through the motions and trying to get better. But let's be honest. We all measure ourselves by the win. I can say that now."
The win did not come easily though, even if the three-shot victory might suggest it was comfortable. At one point McDowell was leading by four-shots through 11 holes, but then a casual three-putt bogey reduced the gap to two shots with five holes to play. Bradley could not take advantage, however, and McDowell made a nice come back with a 75-foot putt.
"It was an inch away from sticking in the fringe, and about 1-16th of an inch away from going in the hole," he said.
It was McDowell's first victory after 2010, when he had beaten Woods at Sherwood. He also won his first U.S. Open in the same year.
"Graeme really likes this place," Bradley said. "Just when I thought maybe I'd have a good chance, he'd hole a putt or hit a chip like he did on 17. He's a champion. I don't expect anything less out of him."
Five-time champion Tiger Woods finished tied fourth. Although he was looking in good touch throughout the year, at the rain-soaked Sherwood Country Club, he could make his first birdie only on the 13th hole.
"I struggled with my game a little bit this week," said Woods, playing for the first time in five weeks. "I just managed myself well to get around in these conditions."
McDowell was very happy and relieved after the win.
"Hopefully this is the first of many," McDowell said. "Getting engaged three or four weeks ago was a huge step in my life, and this has really made it a lot of fun."
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