Three-time Ryder Cup winner McDowell has been a part of the LIV circuit since its formation in 2022.
Having been re-signed by Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC crew, one of many Northern Irishman’s key aims this yr is to qualify for the Open Championship, which returns to Royal Portrush in July.
McDowell was the one participant from Northern Eire to make the minimize when his dwelling city staged the Open in 2019.
The 45-year-old’s lifelong affiliation with Royal Portrush has been strengthened additional after a hole on the Valley Links course was named after him, which he mentioned was a “nice honour”.
By way of the Open, McDowell has a number of alternatives to safe his place on this yr’s discipline, beginning with the Worldwide Collection Macau on the Asian Tour in March, which has three qualifying spots up for grabs.
“It is extraordinarily vital to me [to qualify],” mentioned McDowell, whose final skilled win got here in February 2020.
“I’ve acquired a busy sufficient six months arising however the main championships stay crucial occasions on this planet.
“I’ve carried out all I can previously three or 4 years to qualify for the Open and the US Open by way of the completely different routes and with the Open being at Portrush this yr, it cranks up the depth a bit of bit increased for me.
“I am trying everywhere in the world to see the place there may be a chance and making an attempt to go that further mile to attempt to get into that match.”
