Graeme McDowell handed Masters boost by Bay Hill second place
Last updated on .From the section Golf
Graeme McDowell says his second place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will give him great confidence for the Masters which starts in 10 days.
McDowell finished five shots behind a resurgent Tiger Woods but the Northern Irishman says his "spirits are high" after the Florida event.
"Every facet of my game is in decent shape," said McDowell who will play at the Houston Open this week.
"I'm excited about the Houston Open and on to Augusta."
McDowell started the final round at Bay Hill only a shot behind Woods but the 2010 US Open champion's hopes were immediately hit by a double bogey at the first.
"Plugging into the right trap on one and making double was just not the start I had in mind.
"I let him get ahead of me early and he was very tough to get close to after that.
"I had a ball above my feet lie on one, trying to hit a hook back there into the green and just got under it a little bit.
"[But] I hit a lot of quality iron shots, I'm very proud of myself the way I hung in there.
"This is a tough golf course. It's a great warm-up for Augusta."
McDowell spoke of having a "front row seat watching maybe the greatest of all time doing what he does best" as Woods clinched his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009.
"He's great for the world of golf and great for the excitement levels and the atmosphere and TV and fans," added McDowell.
