NI golfer reveals PGA Championship pull-out was due to Bahamas hurricane Graeme McDowell

McDowell has a house on one of the many Caribbean islands that make up the country, says moving back from Wentworth “was tough to do but it has been an emotional few weeks”. “Friends and people that we care about just lost everything,” he added. “It put things in perspective for me from a golf point of view.”

The Bahamas were departing devastated at the start of September after Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Humberto strike the area. “Trying to help people took a lot of focus off what I was doing,” added McDowell. “I didn’t get to practice and prepare as much as I would have wanted, from working on our place and trying to help people down there.

“People that we care about, people who are really good friends, their homes just got flattened. “They’re now trying to get their lives back. “We’ve been trying to help with some fundraising efforts and we’ve been trying to rebuild. Mother Nature puts life in perspective with how cruel it can be.”

“It has been really scary and my mind just hasn’t been on golf,” said the 40-year-old.”Consequently, I just didn’t feel that I was ready to play at Wentworth. It’s been a very difficult for few weeks and I’m looking forward to getting back on the golf course, refocusing and taking the next steps.”

“I started working with a new coach, Kevin Kirk, about a month ago Portrush native added.” He’s based in Houston and I like what I’m working on. Having someone US-based is really important to me.

“My coach has been based in the UK for a long time, but now I’m spending so much time in the United States that it will help me get that consistency. “Kevin gives me a fresh look and a fresh enthusiasm on things, and I’m really excited about the relationship so it should be a lot of fun. I’ve got a lot to look forward to – let’s see if I can finish the year off strongly.”

The 2010 US Open champion also explained that a major aim of his is to play in the Ryder Cup next year. “I believe I’m still good enough to win out here,” he said. “If I play the way I know I can play then I can be on the team.”