GOLF:ON SUNDAY night, Graeme McDowell and his friend Ian Poulter got on to a private jet which took them from one side of the US to the other.

On the flight, from Los Angeles to Florida, some celebratory glasses of champagne and bottles of beer were clinked to mark G-Mac’s latest win of a remarkable year which has seen him move from 39th to seventh in the world rankings, win the critical singles match in the Ryder Cup and, of course, breathtakingly claim a breakthrough Major victory in the US Open.

No soothsayer could have predicted what would develop for McDowell throughout 2010. Indeed, not even McDowell – “I’m a believer in fate,” he remarked after out-duelling Tiger Woods in the American’s backyard – could have truly known how this year would unfold in such a dramatic manner, or how this son of the Causeway Coast would embrace his destiny with such vigour and acceptance.

McDowell has moved from the shadows into the spotlight as if he were made for this world stage. McDowell’s win in the head-to-head with Woods on Sunday gave him the Chevron World Challenge to add to the Celtic Manor Wales Open, the US Open and the Andalucia Masters he garnered on the PGA European Tour this season.

He has won over €5 million in prize money, and yet retained a man-of-the-people persona that shows he appreciates his roots on the north Antrim coast.

It is remarkable to think McDowell left the PGA Championship at Wentworth in late-May unsure of whether he would have a place in the field for the US Open at Pebble Beach. He was on the bubble of securing an automatic place in the field available to those inside the world top-50 who weren’t exempt, and he decided not to attend the International Qualifying at Walton Heath. He trusted fate; and was rewarded by staying inside the top-50 and earning a place for Pebble Beach.

By the time he arrived in California for the season’s second major, he had claimed the Wales Open. Still, in the practice rounds, where he played with Rory McIlroy and Poulter, McDowell was coming in under the radar.

Even going into the final round at the famed links, McDowell – three shots behind 54-hole leader Dustin Johnson – was in stealth mode. By the time he came to the 18th green, McDowell was preparing to be crowned the first European winner of the major since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

“I’ve dreamed about this all my life,” said McDowell, a graduate of the University of Alabama.

He observed: “This game, when you are in the wilderness, can be a bleak and dark place. The tough times are tough. The game gives you no love back. When you want love, it doesn’t give you it. When you hope something is going to happen, it never happens. The second you start believing in yourself and you let it happen, it is amazing what’s around the corner.”

In the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, McDowell was cast into the anchor role in what proved to be the critical singles of that Monday finale to golf’s showpiece. He proved up to the task, closing out Hunter Mahan on the 17th.

“The US Open felt like a back nine with my dad (Kenny) back at Portrush compared to that. I was nervous, wow. It’s just so much pressure . . . . but that putt (for birdie on the 16th) was the best putt I’ve hit in my life.”

By Sunday night, McDowell’s prowess with the putter was again embellished. Although he captured the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama in October, and he would go on to finish runner-up to Martin Kaymer in the Race to Dubai, McDowell kept on going and still had sufficient energy to go down to the wire with Woods on Sunday.

Of this latest win, McDowell said: “I don’t perceive myself any differently because of what I’ve done this year. All I try to do is pour the confidence and belief back into my game and really try and believe.”

Graeme McDowell's Year of Wins

Wales Open, Celtic Manor– A closing round 63 for a 15-under-par total of 269 gave McDowell, winless since the 2008 Scottish Open, the €350,940 first prize in June by three shots from Welshman Rhys Davies, a runner-up for the second week running. "The first 11 holes was dream golf and I am ecstatic," said McDowell. "I feel like I'm in the form of my life right now and I really feel I have a big event in me."

US Open, Pebble Beach –Having started the final round three shots adrift of Dustin Johnson, McDowell kept his head to win by one shot from France's Gregory Havret, with Ernie Els a shot behind in third. Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods finished tied fourth.

“It’s an absolute dream come true, I’ve dreamed about this all my life,” said McDowell.

Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor –Put into the role of anchor man in the singles by captain Colin Montgomerie, the Northern Irishman's match last October with Hunter Mahan became the all-important match.

Yet again, McDowell proved to be the last one standing as he birdied the 16th to move two clear and then sealed the win without having to hole out on the 17th after his American opponent duffed his chip.

“It’s a special feeling, nothing quite like it,” said McDowell.

Andalucia Masters, Valderrama –McDowell defied strong winds in the final round at the famed Spanish course to claim his seventh European Tour career win, finishing two shots clear of Gareth Maybin, Damien McGrane and Soren Kjeldsen.

“It was a war of attrition and the last man standing, really. Damien and Gareth are both grinders in their own right and I was just happy that I could eventually get the job done.”

Chevron World Challenge –McDowell does what no other man has, overcome a four-shot deficit on Tiger Woods in the final round of a tournament to win.

“To play the weekend alongside Tiger, you know, it’s a pretty special feeling to go out there four back and do the job,” said McDowell.