Graeme McDowell put himself firmly in the frame for a Ryder Cup return after a battling victory in the Saudi International.<\/p>\n
McDowell began the final round with a one-shot lead and a closing level-par 70 in tough scoring conditions at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club was enough to seal a first European Tour title since 2014.<\/p>\n
The win is set to lift McDowell from 104th in the world rankings to back inside the top 50, less than a year after the 2010 US Open champion found himself a lowly 257th.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Dustin Johnson made his second eagle of the day on the 18th to finish two shots behind McDowell on 10 under for the tournament, with Phil Mickelson, Thomas Pieters and Gavin Green a stroke further back.<\/p>\n
An emotional McDowell fought back tears as he told Sky Sports: \u201cIt\u2019s tough to win on a course that doesn\u2019t fit your eye but this is a sweet one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf my kids are watching at home I love you guys, and my wife obviously. I can\u2019t wait to get home and see them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old added: \u201cA big goal this year was to be back in the top 50, it\u2019s come a little faster than I expected. I\u2019ve been working hard the last year and a half to try and get myself back up there one more time just to be out there playing against these guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game of golf is in such great shape, so many great players, it\u2019s so exciting to be a top player in the world and I want to be back up there again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got young kids at home and I want to show them that dad\u2019s tough and dad can do it. I don\u2019t want to have to pull up the YouTube videos.\u201d<\/p>\n