McDowell's easy life is paying off

Graeme McDowell has put the transformation of his golf career down to relaxation and taking plenty of holidays.

The 28-year-old had suffered mixed fortunes on the European Tour until he tasted victory last weekend at the Scottish Open.

It was his first win since the 2004 Italian Open and ended a succession of missed cuts and great frustration.

The £500,000 first prize at Loch Lomond was the biggest cheque of his career and the Ulsterman is sure his easier schedule has helped him turn the corner and get closer to a Ryder Cup debut.

He said: "I've taken a bit of time off, something like five or six weeks all within a couple of months. I've tried to pace myself to keep me fresh for the most important part of the season.

"This is the time when other guys start hitting the wall because they play a lot of golf and it is easy to get yourself into a tizzy.