Graeme McDowell ready for Oakmont

Graeme McDowell Oakmont US Open

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Graeme McDowell says he is relishing the task of taking on Oakmont at this week’s US Open.

The Northern Irishman won the second major of the year in 2010 but despite finishing in a tie for second back in 2012, has struggled at the event over the last few seasons, missing the cut in both 2013 and 2015.

McDowell arrives in Pennsylvania after being absent from the weekend on three of his last four starts but having won at Pebble Beach and finished as one of the runners-up at Olympic Club, seems to enjoy the more traditional layouts.

This year’s venue, Oakmont, is believed to have been prepared to make it one of the toughest ever US Open tests and after Angel Cabrera finished on five-over on the same course to take victory back in 2007, it is believed the winning score will again be over par.

The situation does not faze McDowell though and the 36-year-old believes his game is ready to take on the punishing layout.

“I think I am more of a purist US Open guy,” he told Press Association Sport. “I’ve performed well on the pure US Open tests like Pebble Beach and Olympic Club and had it going at places like Winged Foot.

I’m very much looking forward to this one and feel like I am taking some decent amount of game in there.

“From what I’m hearing with comments coming back from a few guys it sounds incredibly difficult and I like that, I do relish that challenge.”

McDowell is currently priced at 126.00 to win his second major title this week, with Jason Day leading the betting at 7.00 ahead of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth who are 7.50 and 9.50 respectively.

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