McDowell shares – Graeme McDowell’s first major in six years is happening at Shinnecock Hills this week—and he says it means as much to him because of his nine-year-old son Wills, as he reflects on how time has moved on.
Graeme McDowell didn’t need to worry about qualifying for golf’s biggest stages for much of his career. From 2008 to 2016, he made 34 consecutive appearances at major championships, a streak crowned by his 2010 US Open win at Pebble Beach.
Now, at 46 years old, he’s back at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills for the first major appearance in six years. It’s the kind of return that would thrill any player—but McDowell keeps circling back to something more personal than a scoreboard.
He feels this week is about his nine-year-old son, Wills, as well. “I wasn’t sure I was ever going to get to show him me out here playing in it with the old hourglass. the sands of time continue to deplete if you like. ” McDowell said. describing the emotional weight of making it back to a major and sharing the moment with his child.
McDowell also spoke about what it means to be present at a championship again after a stretch without it. “There’s a large appreciation for me being here this time at a major. At a point in my career. these were automatic and when they get taken away from you. you realise how much you miss them and appreciate the opportunity to be on golf’s biggest stages.”.
The sense of change is clear: the same player who once treated majors as routine is now doing the counting again—of chances. of time. and of the moments he gets to pass on. For McDowell, the US Open isn’t just a place to chase another result. It’s the setting for a first major appearance in six years. and a father’s chance to bring Wills into the story.
US Open 2026 Graeme McDowell Shinnecock Hills Wills Northern Ireland Pebble Beach Ryder Cup majors return