Graeme McDowell is hoping his strong showing in the Honda Classic can act as a springboard to get back to winning ways on both the European and PGA Tour this season.

The 36-year-old has endured a difficult 12 months on the course and, before the recent event at Palm Beach Gardens, a lack of form had dropped the Northern Irishman down to world number 73.

However, the 2010 US Open winner has started to rediscover some of the form that helped him win his only major tournament and this was shown at PGA National.

He carded a one-under-par 69 on Sunday to finish in fifth position on -4, five strokes adrift of Australian winner Adam Scott who held off runner-up Sergio Garcia by one shot.

McDowell’s top-five result has lifted him to world number 55 and also secured a spot in the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral this week.

The Portrush-born star is hoping he can push on for the rest of the campaign and he admits it is nice to finally start seeing the hard work on the practice ground paying off.

He told reporters: “You need that little bit of legitimisation of what you’re doing to keep you working harder, as well. Like I say, really happy with a lot of things I’ve got going on. I feel like I can really have a big year from here.”

McDowell will be looking to get into peak condition for the Masters at Augusta National in April and he is quoted 151.00 to clinch the coveted green jacket.

World number one Jordan Spieth is the 7.00 favourite to defend the title he spectacularly won last year, while Rory McIlroy, who struggled for form in his last outing, is an 8.00 chance.