McDowell Chasing Glory at Carton House

Graeme McDowell has held his hands up to his nightmare at the US Open – and is now challenging for the Irish Open title at Carton House on Thursday.

The former US Open Champion, who hails from Portrush, missed the cut at Merion after rounds of 76 and 77 respectively.

"There's no doubt I would love to win this one. It's certainly one I'll be giving 100% to this week," McDowell has been quoted as saying in the lead-up to the event.

Carton House can boast the likes of Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington, and former Open Champion Clarke came third in the Irish Open the last time it was played at the County Kildare course way back in 2006.

The last Irishman to win the event was Shane Lowry in 2009, while Welshman Jamie Donaldson will defend the title he clinched at Royal Portrush last year. If McDowell does win the event then he will become the first Northern Irish winner of the tournament since Fred Daly in 1946.