Golf: Graeme McDowell targets success in order to ease his workload

GRAEME McDowell is targeting a successful end to the season to ease his workload for 2012 as the Northern Irishman bids for his first European Tour title of the year at the Singapore Open.

McDowell, who finished third last week at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, is set to play both the European and PGA Tours next year and is eager to boost his ranking over the upcoming Asian tournaments, starting at Sentosa Golf Club today, to ensure a less hectic schedule next year.

“I am not 100 per cent committed to anything yet. I am going to see how these next four or five weeks go,” said the 32-year-old. “If I can have a strong finish this year then I can play a little less next year. I will play both Tours next year.”

McDowell strung together four rounds under par at the WGC event last week to finish third on 16 under par and equal his best result on the European Tour this year.

The world No 14 ended four shots adrift of winner Martin Kaymer in Shanghai and was heartened by his performance in China following a torrid time at the Andalucia Masters the week before.

“I worked hard last week to the point where I am now moving the ball very well both ways,” he added. “Unless you have a ball flight you can control you cannot really play this game very well. I was happy the way I hit the ball last week and I putted much, much better. I am coming in here with a little bit of confidence and this is a golf course where you certainly have to control your ball flight. And with these big undulating greens you need to putt well.”

McDowell, though, will have to resist challenges from, among others, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els over both the Tanjong and Serapong courses.

Mickelson is confident a fifth visit to Singapore can end with the 41-year-old lifting the trophy.

“Having played here a number of years I just feel that every time I come here I play the course better and better,” he said.