McDowell says Golf-European Tour is so strong

The European Tour is now as strong as its ever been having gone through a fallow period as a result of the global credit crunch, according to U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell. "There is no doubt the European Tour is very excited about the state of the game within our tour," the 31-year-old Briton told reporters at Wentworth. "This is our flagship event and we've got a great field. The tour has been through a tough three or four years—the financial crisis hit sponsors, hit everyone.

McDowell said it was time for the tour to try to resuscitate some old tournaments that have fallen by the wayside in recent years. "We are in a position to hopefully go out and … bring events back like the European Open, English Open, events in Germany, the big strong events we've lost in the last few years," he added. "We are in such a strong position now … we (the players) remain very supportive of the tour and I think we are all in a position to do what we can to make sure we get those big events back." McDowell also called for the Seve Trophy to be given fresh impetus following the death of five-times major champion Seve Ballesteros earlier this month. The team event has often struggled to attract the best players but the Northern Irishman said that would change at this year's edition in Paris in September. "If I don't qualify for the Tour Championship finale in the U.S. I will definitely be supporting the event," he said. "It has got the chance to be a really great event and hopefully solidify as a permanent fixture." McDowell begins his PGA Championship campaign in a threeball with world number two Luke Donald and holder Simon Khan in Thursday's first round.