Royal Melbourne's subtle dangers were starkly evident when jet-lagged Irishman Graeme McDowell played nine holes and walked the other nine shortly after arriving from Dubai on Tuesday.
Even though the world No. 12 was reacquainting himself with the Composite course for the first time in nine years, he instantly recalled the cautious approach required by himself and rookie teammate Shane Lowry for the World Cup opening round tomorrow.
"You've really got to respect it. You really have to pay attention to what you're doing out there because the wrong shot on the wrong line and the wrong shape at any given moment can get you in all sorts of trouble,'' McDowell said.
"I feel like it will bring the cream to the top, for sure. The top players will shine and the less experienced players will have a problem with this golf course.
"Shane and I are as good and experienced as anybody this week and, hopefully, we can be playing together late on Sunday afternoon.
"It's just a great track that requires a lot of strategy, a lot of positioning of iron play coming into these fast and firm undulating greens.
"You don't hit many drivers, maybe four or five max out there. Like a links golf course, the wind can change this course within the space of an hour, change the character of holes when the wind switches direction.''
Ranked behind only Adam Scott and American Matt Kuchar in the 60-player World Cup field, McDowell finished fourth on the European tour in another successful year with his three wins including the World Matchplay title and one on the US PGA tour.
McDowell played in the final group with Scott when the Australian blew the lead on the finishing four holes of the 2012 British Open. And he's not surprised with Scott's rise to join Swede Henrik Stenson as closest challengers to Tiger Woods for the world's top ranking.
"Scotty's just one of those guys who you play with and think to yourself 'why is this guy not winning every week?' He's that impressive,'' he said.
"I had the pleasure, or displeasure, of playing with him in the last round of the Open championship last year, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he developed into the player that he is. He has always been an awesome player.''
While the money focus of this World Cup has shifted to individual honours, McDowell's priority is green glory.
"We're big on the team element. The World Cup will always be about the winning team and we're passionate about standing there as the winning team on Sunday night,'' he said.
- See more at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/golf/graeme-mcdowell-confident-irealnd-can-capture-the-world-cup-of-golf/story-e6frf3oc-1226764364950#sthash.qQebzjUi.dpuf
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