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US Open Champion Graeme McDowell received a hero’s welcome as he returned to the fairways for the first time since his momentous victory at Pebble Beach two weeks ago.
The Irishman took his place among the star-studded field at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort for the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, the two-day charitable event that takes place every five years.
More than 40,000 spectators flocked to see stars including the 30 year old, who was naturally accompanied by the US Open Trophy which has barely left his sight since he became the first European since Tony Jacklin in 1970 to win the title.
Huge crowds also followed Tiger Woods, who is making his first appearance in Europe this season, as well as a galaxy of film and sports stars such as Michael Douglas, Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant, who teed it up alongside the 54 professionals in the event.
While Woods shot a 79 it was his close friend John Cook who finished the first day at the top of the leaderboard, posting a one under par 71 to sit alongside fellow American Jim Furyk, Sweden’s Peter Hanson and South African Rory Sabbatini.
For McDowell, who a signed for a 75 in a share of 27th place at the end of the first day, it was a chance to refocus on his game following a whirl-wind fortnight since his “life changing” maiden Major Championship victory.
“It's been a crazy couple of weeks” he admitted. “It was actually really great to get down here and get on to the golf course and kind of get back to business as usual.
“That was an amazing reception out there. The crowds were fantastic. I got clapped on pretty much every green and tee, and it was a really, really cool morning. It was great to get back in the golf environment.
“It's been a fantastic two weeks, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve done a lot of partying and celebrating.
“It was great to get back out on the course though and try - not to put it behind me - but semi get my head re-attached.
“Obviously Loch Lomond this week is important to me and on then it’s onto St. Andrews next week. It's very important that I get ready to move on and get ready to continue to play well, because my game's in great shape, obviously, and I really want to try and give myself a good shot at a good summer.”
McDowell, whose Pro-Am team included JP McManus’ son Kieran, revealed that he has been swamped by well-wishers since his victory, receiving messages of congratulations from some of golf’s all-time greats as well as a letter from British Prime Minister David Cameron
He was also presented with a special trophy by host McManus at the end of his first round in front of a pack grandstand on the 18th green at Adare Manor to round off a special homecoming.
“JP is a very classy guy,” said McDowell. “You look at the field he’s assembled for these two days, that says a lot about what we think of JP McManus. He's a special person in the world of golf and it's a real honour to play my first competitive round back since the US Open out there this morning, and I really enjoyed it.”
Among those to re-iterate their congratulations to McDowell at Adare Manor was his close friend Rory McIlroy, who posted a level par round of 72 for a share of fifth place having flown in straight from Paris where he was fourth in the Open de France Alstom yesterday.
McIlroy said: “It was incredible. Obviously I’ve played a lot with him over the last couple of years and I suppose I've seen at first-hand how much hard work he's put in and he's got so much belief in himself.
“It's almost as if every time he gets himself up there and into contention, he seems to have really either finished it off or make a really good effort at it.
“At Pebble Beach, he got himself in front and stayed there, and all credit to him. He was the one that lasted the longest on a very difficult golf course.
It was a very, very impressive performance, obviously especially coming off the win at Celtic Manor. He's a major champion now, it's great.”
Similarly Open and US PGA Champion Padraig Harrington, who posted a 76, praised the manner in which McDowell joined the exclusive group of Major Champions.
He said: “What I really liked is he played the best golf. He was the clear winner. He was in the position all week, was under pressure all week and he led from the front.”
Entrance caps for the JP McManus Pro-Am sold out meaning only those spectators who have already purchased theirs will be admitted to the second day of the event on Tuesday.
