Graeme McDowell aims to bounce back from his poor performance in US Open by going for glory at Irish Open at Carton House from Thursday.
The former US Open champion failed to show his best golf two weeks ago at Merion when he missed the cut after rounds of 76 and 77.
McDowell will be joined on the course by Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley as they all look for success on familiar soil.
Former Open champion Clarke will fancy his chances after he finished third in the last Irish Open to be played at County Kildane in 2006.
Shane Lowry was the last Irish victor, in 2009, and McDowell is hoping to become the first Northern Irish winner of the tournament since Fred Daly in 1946.
The 33-year-old has admitted his performance at Merion has given him some extra “motivation” and he is looking to add the Irish Open to his collection of titles.
He said: “There’s no doubt the Irish Open is on my golfing bucket list. It’s an event that I’ve never really competed in. It’s an event I would love to win and I would love to add it to my CV.
“To win your national Open is a very special win in a player’s heart. There’s no doubt I would love to win this one. It’s certainly one I’ll be giving 100 per cent to this week.
“It kicks off a very busy summer of golf for me and Merion has done nothing but motivate me and make me more hungry for being in the mix come the weekend.
“I’m ready to go this week and I’m looking forward to it.”
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