Parallels Between Graeme McDowell and Tony Jacklin

Graeme McDowell is now a historic figure.  He is the last and most recent guy born in Europe to win the American golf championship.  He usurps the title from Tony Jacklin, whose 1970 US Open win at Hazeltine had evolved into more of a religious relic for the secular continent.  Jacklin's reputation and career was so much more than that, but to a generation of younger fans, his name is one that has been associated with the EU's incompetence at taking on "golf's toughest test."

Sure, he is not the marketer's dream to be the man to end Jacklin's Curse.  It could have been Ian Poulter, or Sergio Garcia, or Rory McIlroy, or even Paul Casey - all more identifiable than McDowell.  But McDowell is a rightful successor to the title he holds.  He approached this championship with the same quiet confidence that Jacklin possessed in his playing days. 

McDowell's victory list resembles that of Jacklin.  Jacklin finished his career with a couple dozen worldwide wins, but was a modest player who held two major titles.  McDowell, in his prime now, has a handful of European wins.  That list will surely grow as the North Irishman's confidence will overflow in the weeks to come.

It also seems that McDowell is not in the business of golf for mere fame and money.  Like Jacklin, he is fiercely loyal to European tournaments and scheduling.  While it remains to be seen if McDowell would seek to transition to the US PGA Tour full-time, it seems unlikely.  Besides, like Emerald Isle compadre Paddy Harrington, McDowell is now set for life.  His accomplishment is a great one.

Because of his pedigree, McDowell will be slighted.  His title will be undermined here in the States.  After all, the critics will say, he was given an 82 by his playing partner Dustin Johnson, perfect weather to dry out Pebble Beach, and charges from Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Ernie Els that clearly peaked too early.  McDowell, though, earned this title.  He charged to the leaderboard early in the championship and his star faded at a rate just slow enough to beat out the competition. 

It sounds an awful lot like the '92 Open at Pebble where Tom Kite did the same thing to pass Dr. Gil Morgan.  Invariably, the comparisons will be made to the '05 Open at Pinehurst.  In reality, that should only be done in the context of Dustin Johnson's horrific final round. 

A solid, not yet great player emerged from a field confused by the sea, the wind, the grass, and the stakes to become the man to end the forty years in the desert for Europe at the US Open.  Fitting that Graeme McDowell would do so on America's only truly legendary seaside links.