If Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell will be playing in two weeks at Carnoustie in the Open Championship it will be because his good play at this week’s Irish Open or next week’s Scottish Open earned him a spot in the field, not because he qualified through a sectional qualifier held at St. Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday.
Competing in this past week’s French Open, McDowell flew from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport to Manchester, England on Sunday night only to find out that his clubs didn’t make the trip.
Need assistance from @airfrance. Flew into Manchester last night from CDG and my golf clubs are untraceable. I have a 36 qualifier tomorrow for @TheOpen and really need my bag. Thanks in advance. #help
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) July 2, 2018
“Need assistance from @airfance,” McDowell tweeted on Monday. “Flew into Manchester last night from CDG and my golf clubs are untraceable. I have a 36 qualifier tomorrow for @TheOpen and really need my bag. Thanks in advance. #help.”
Clubs still not on way from Paris. Established that they are in the black hole known as CDG. @airfrance and @AirFranceUK have been very quiet on Twitter lately so no communication. Looking doubtful I will participate tomorrow @TheOpen qualifier.
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) July 2, 2018
“Clubs still not on way from Paris,” McDowell updated some 8 hours later. “Established that they are in the black hole known as CDG. @airfrance and @AirFranceUK have been very quiet on Twitter lately so no communication. Looking doubtful I will participate tomorrow @TheOpen qualifier.”
McDowell received some chiding from his followers asking why he couldn’t grab a set of clubs from a local pro shop and compete, to which the 2010 U.S. Open winner responded, “Only 3 spots from 72 decent players and I have another event to get ready for this week, so have to cut my losses and start preparing,” he said.
By 5:30 p.m. Monday evening, McDowell still had not received his clubs and announced that he had withdrawn from the qualifier.
I have officially withdrawn from @TheOpen qualifying tomorrow at St Anne’s Old Links. I cannot give 100% without my own equipment which has been mishandled by @AirFrance and must turn my attention to @DDFIrishOpen this weekend. Thanks for all the support.
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) July 2, 2018
“I have officially withdrawn from @TheOpen qualifying tomorrow at St Anne’s Old Links,” he wrote. “I cannot give 100% without my own equipment which has been mishandled by @AirFrance and must turn my attention to @DDFIrishOpen this weekend. Thanks for all the support.”
As previously stated, McDowell has two more chances to punch his ticket to The Open. Both the Irish and Scottish Opens hand out spots in the third major of the season to those finishing in the top-10 of the event who aren’t already exempt.
Lots of you wanting to know why I don’t grab a set off the rack and give it my best shot to get in @TheOpen. Of course I could do this, but wouldn’t be firing on all cylinders and there are 6 spots up for grabs next 2 weeks at @DDFIrishOpen and @ScottishOpen.
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) July 2, 2018
