Two top 10 finishes in succession have not only significantly improved Graeme McDowell's bank balance, but also proved that even bigger paydays are ahead. It is wonderful to see all the hard work that Graeme has been putting into his game pay off so quickly. He has made considerable and significant changes in his swing and before this season started he had only had one other top 10 since his debut win in 2002. After coming close in Madeira. Graeme came even closer in Portugal where he finished joint third behind Spain's Miguel Angel Jiminez at Penina while another ISM player, David Park, claimed his first top 10 finish of the season.
Richard Sterne showed welcome signs of improvement while Louis Oosthuizen and David Dixon, our two Tour School graduates, continued their encouraging starts to the season and should benefit when the re-ranking clicks in.
My big winner of the weekend, however, was Amberleigh House while Clan Royal was another of my six Grand National selections to pay a dividend. The proceeds now go on Darren Clarke, Phil Mickelson and John Daly to win the US Masters.
Yes, it's that time of the year again and I have a feeling that the shrubbery along Magnolia Lane will be smelling extra good come next Sunday evening.
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