"That's not how you want to win" –uttered Graeme McDowell after he discovered that Kevin Stadler missed a two-foot putt for par on the final to tie him. The American’s pain would see the Northern Irishman complete a successful defence of his title after an incredible final day at the Open de France.
Starting eight shots back of Stadler, McDowell would show his unquestionable class in compiling a tremendous final round of 67 to take advantage of the struggles of those ahead of them. Inclement weather made scoring on the front-nine extremely difficult, with Stadler playing the opening ten holes at six-over-par.
There would be no such troubles for McDowell, however, as he set his stall out early with a birdie two on the second hole. After a string of pars, which he could have sold to the players playing behind him, another birdie would come on the ninth, completing a front-nine of 34. By contrast, Stadler navigated the opening nine holes in 41, with Thongchai Jaidee, who started the day in tied second, making birdies on the eighth and ninth to salvage a 39.
McDowell, who won at Le Golf National by four shots in 2013, would birdie the 13th and 14th, placing him in tremendous position heading into the fearsome finish on the layout in the outskirts of Paris. Making a solid par at the 15th, the 2010 U.S. Open champion would birdie the 16th, before another par on the 17th would have him standing on the final tee at six-under for the tournament.
However, this would be the site of his only blemish of the day. Missing the fairway to the right, McDowell found the overtly thick rough that reduced him to a lay-up short of the water. Hitting his third onto the green, he would two-putt for bogey to place him in a potentially winning position.
Somehow, despite his early struggles, Stadler would prove to be the main challenger. Having shown impressive character in making three birdies in six holes, the 34-year-old, who had led the tournament from the start after a stunning 64 on Thursday, required birdie on the last to win outright, with a par sending the tournament into extra-time – a concept well known to followers of the World Cup.
But, extra holes would not be required, as Kevin Stadler would agonisingly three-putt on the 18th green to complete a day that had promised much after beginning it with a four-shot lead. He would finish in a tie for second alongside Thongchai Jaidee, who fought back from a horrific start to post a final round of 72 after playing his final 14 holes in four-under.
Swedish veteran Robert Karlsson would finish in fourth, which saw him secure one of the three available spots into the Open Championship, with Michael Hoey and home-favourite Victor Riu also booking their ticket to Hoylake.
But Graeme McDowell well be heading to golf’s oldest championship in winning form, a fact he partly credits on the difficult conditions during the weekend.
"Certainly from the point of view of the chasing pack, if it was sunshine and flat calm the last couple of days, we weren't going to catch Kevin (who shot 72-76 during the weekend), because he was playing great golf,” McDowell said.
"Today was tough, a lot more rain and the wind switched, and it got cold. Pretty European, pretty Irish conditions. I've always thought of myself a decent bad weather golfer, until the last five years, I feel like I'm spending a little bit too much time in America. I'm getting a little bit soft!
"You need to be ready for all types of weather there, and you know, today I was really just trying to enjoy the challenge and give myself the opportunity. I was really happy with some of the swings I made coming down the stretch and some of the putts I made,” he added.
It’s a victory that reignites McDowell’s ambitions to make the Ryder Cup team this September at Gleneagles. Having been part of the European side in the last three editions of the biennial showpiece, including holing the winning putt in 2010, the Northern Irishman had been well down in the qualifying standings.
This win will improve his position significantly, and will please captain Paul McGinley, who will surely want 34-year-old on his team.
"I didn't expect to win so I feel very fortunate, and very happy, to be sitting here with the trophy," a delighted McDowell said.
And with the Open Championship and PGA Championship coming up, there are even more prestigious trophies to potentially be sitting with ahead.