McDowell fears Portstewart weather

Graeme McDowell believes the weather could play a crucial role in the outcome of this week's Irish Open at Portstewart.

McDowell, who missed the cut at last week's French Open after bogeys on the final four holes of his second round, needs a top-10 finish at the Irish Open this week or Scottish Open at Troon the following week to qualify for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, which takes place between 20-23 July.

Ten of the world's top 40 golfers will compete for a prize pot of £5.3 million at the Irish Open, with defending champion Rory McIlroy, world number two Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood, Thomas Pieters and Rafa Cabrera-Bello all in action.

Former US Open champion McDowell says he and his fellow professionals may struggle to cope if high winds hit the course on the Derry coast.

"The rough is not as strong as perhaps I hoped it would be, but weather will play a big part over these next three weeks," McDowell told BBC Northern Ireland.

"We have the Irish Open this week, the Scottish Open the week after, and then the Open. We all know how big the winds can be, and how much of a part the weather can play," he said.

"I love the way the course is set up - the greens are running really nicely, there are some new "T-boxes" since the last time I was here at Portstewart.

"The rough is patchy, with areas you need to stay away from, and I do think the weather will be the principle defence this place has.

"If we don't get much wind, the guys will go pretty low. If we do get wind, it will be pretty interesting."

Image: Getty Images/Steve Dykes

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