G-Mac targets Ryder Cup return in 2018

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland will do everything in his power to be on the European squad for the 2018 Ryder Cup to be held in France. 
McDowell, nicknamed G-Mac, was involved in the past four Ryder Cups but missed the 2016 edition when he was ignored by captain Darren Clarke last year. 
"I think that certainly was a big week for me to sit at home and watch that," McDowell said about US' win at Hazeltine National Golf Club last year. 
"It was very motivating, very inspiring. When I look to France to 2018, a golf course which I love, I certainly want to be there, that's for sure," McDowell said ahead of the Qatar Masters which kicks-off today.
"I think not being on that team was a reinforcement to me that I'm not doing what I want to do in the game. I'm still very, very motivated and I still want it badly enough to go out there and do whatever it takes. I guess that's the key," the three-time Ryder Cup champion said.
"My family are 100 per cent behind me. They support me. I'm ready to really kind of get the head down for the next five years of my career and see what I can do," the 37-year-old said.
McDowell, who launches his new season at the Doha Golf Club (DGC) today, is ready to put behind his dismal performances and seek the kind of form that helped him win 10 European Tour titles.
"I'm 85th, 90th in the World Rankings right now. It has not been the kind of few years that I expect from myself."
"There's no doubt that there have been sort of some factors, I wouldn't say outside of my control, but you know, things outside of golf which have definitely been distracting for me. And I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Having a family is something I've always wanted. My on-course performance has not been good enough the last few years, and some areas that I need to refocus on, obviously general work ethic, goal setting, just patience levels.
"Like I said, the last few years have been quite distracting, but I wouldn't change them for the world. I don't think anyone can ever explain to you what you're going to go through because I think it's so different for everyone," McDowell said. 
"It's been great but golf's been tough. I haven't really enjoyed myself much on the course the last few years. But I feel like I've learned  a lot and I've turned a corner, and ready to do whatever it takes now the next few years to get myself back," he added.
"(I want to) give myself chances to win major championships again. I've got a lot of things to work on. I've just been rededicating myself the last six or eight months. I think it's really, really important that I stay super-patient with it.
"It may not happen this week and it may not happen next week. But if I keep doing the things that I know that are going to make me the best I can be, eventually it will come. Just being patient with that," he said.
McDowell said his return to Qatar after five years was an eye-opener.
"I've always enjoyed this tournament. It's been five years since I've been here. Great to be back here in Doha," McDowell said yesterday. 
"It's an amazing city. It's great to see how things have moved on the last five years from a construction point of view. The skyline continues to get busier and busier here. Obviously they are working towards the 2022 (FIFA) World Cup. It's an exciting time for Doha, and like I say, I've always enjoyed this golf course," he added.
"The wind obviously can be very tough here. Perhaps right out of the gates after eight weeks off and the game being a tad rusty, this is a tough place to start the season. But my focus will get there very quickly. I'm looking forward to seeing what the challenge brings the next couple days into the weekend and nice to start the season here.
"I'll play here and I'll play Dubai next week. That will be a good couple weeks to get me off and running," he said.
McDowell is grouped with Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal and China Number One Li Haotong for day one of the Qatar Masters.