Graeme McDowell Returns to US Open After Six-Year Absence

Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell returns to major championship competition this week at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. The 46-year-old last played in a major in 2018.

2008 and 2016, McDowell made 34 consecutive major appearances, including a victory at the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. He enters this week's event after advancing from a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas last month. McDowell said he views the week partly as an opportunity to compete in front of his nine-year-old son.

"I wasn't sure I was ever going to get to show him me out here playing in it with the sands of time continuing to deplete," he told BBC Sport NI.

Hills ranks among the US Open rota's toughest venues. McDowell missed the cut there in 2018 alongside Rory McIlroy. Strong winds are expected this week. "You must drive it well. The fairways are generous but if you miss them, you're in trouble," McDowell said.

He noted the course is being kept slower than during the 2018 event. McDowell tees off at 12:19 BST Thursday. His last tournament win came at the 2020 Saudi International.