GOLF: G-Mac impresses at Tavistock Cup

European players like Ross Fisher, Justin Rose and our own Graeme McDowell shone as Lake Nona retained the title.

Portrush golfer McDowell is making a habit of rising to the occasion in team events.

A Ryder Cup rookie in 2008, Graeme performed brilliantly in last year's Vivendi Trophy alongside Rory McIlroy.

The duo then teamed up in the World Cup at Mission Hills, finishing second behind the Italian Molinari brothers.

Graeme secured three points from a possible four, and finished second in the overall individual standings at the Tavistock Cup, which all bodes well ahead of today's Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill.

"My form has been good the last few months, and I feel I'm close to getting a big result soon," said McDowell on his website.

"But I only have one top-10 (6th in Doral) to show so far this season. All areas of my game are in good shape, and my performance at the Tailstock Cup, on the extremely difficult course in Isleworth with some of the fastest greens we will play all year, further emphasises that.

"Bay Hill is a great event, and I am delighted to playing here this week. I needed a big performance at Doral to stay within the top-50 and gain entry to Mr Palmer's event, and I did just that.

"I had a poor weekend here last year, but finished second in 2005 and it's a course I like. There is a really strong field and I'm hoping to finish on a high before I go to Augusta to prepare for the Masters."

Graeme has been drawn to play with Japanese teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa, and Australian Steve Elkington for the opening two rounds.