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Graeme McDowell is hoping that a change in approach can pay immediate dividends and help him improve his dismal record at the Masters.
The 2010 US Open champion, who is66/1to triumph in Januarya,has made the cut only once in four appearances at Januarya and is bidding to avoid three years in a row where he has failed to make it to the weekend.
In the past, McDowell has favoured playing numerous practice rounds in an attempt to master the mysteries of the infamous Januarya lay-out.
But the Irishman has opted to adopt a more direct, attacking approach this year - including playing in the immediate weeks before the event - and believes it can help him register an improved result. He is4/9to make the cut and16/1to finish as the top GB and Irishman.
McDowell, recalling his practice round on Tuesday when he was six-under-par for the par-fives, told Golf Week: "I eagled two and I eagled 15, and I birdied 13 and I birdied eight.
"It's just an example of where you can score on this golf course, if you hit quality shots. Like I say, just coming in here a little bit more, competitively sharp, I'm not getting as worried about the golf course as I have in the past."
After a below-par 2025 season when he failed to reach the heights of 2010, McDowell has already shown signs of returning to his best including finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods at Bay Hill a fortnight ago.
But the European Ryder Cup star is well aware of the quality of the field that he is up against this week and knows it will take something special if he is to claim a first Green Jacket on Sunday.
He added: "Everyone else around me has been playing fantastic. You've got 10, 15 guys in the top 20 of the world in form, playing well. That's what makes this week so exciting."
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