Graeme McDowell was born in Portrush, Northern Ireland on the 30th July, 1979. He attended the University of Alabama for four years. He was ranked the number one collegiate golfer in the US and played in the 2001 Walker Cup. He turned pro a year later in 2002.

In just his fourth start on the European Tour he won the Scandanavian Masters. Two years later he won his second title, the Italia Open and ended up the year 6th on the money list. He now shares his time between the European and PGA Tours after earning his card in America in 2005.