Cowen bunkering down in order to put his stable pair on short course to glory

"CAN'T talk right now, I'm in a bunker in Ireland with Graeme McDowell."

Not your standard response when picking up the phone but Pete Cowen is a man who regularly finds himself in the most peculiar of places.

Not content with standing on the sidelines barking out orders in his gruff Yorkshire accent, the experienced Rotherham tutor prefers getting his hands dirty, just as he was with the US Open champion last week.

Cowen was working intensely on McDowell's short game; his chipping, bunker play and putting, ahead of the the Ulsterman's second Ryder Cup appearance at Celtic Manor this week.

"As US Open champion there is a little bit of pressure on his shoulders this week," says Cowen after sending his pupil to the putting green.

"He's now perceived as one of the best players in Europe whereas two years ago he was just a rookie.

"But he's got the fortitude to handle that pressure; he showed that at Pebble Beach when he won the US Open."

McDowell is one of two European Ryder Cup players on Cowen's books this week.

Lee Westwood, the continent's highest-ranked player, is his other, the 37-year-old from Worksop having called on Cowen two years ago to help improve his short game.

The results are impressive with Westwood registering three top-three finishes in the majors since both Cowen and Bingley bagman Billy Foster took over as his caddie.

While his work with McDowell has been more specific, Cowen's task with Westwood has focused on getting him back into the swing following nearly two months out with a calf injury.

"He'll be 100 per cent fit, there'll be no worrying about fitness on his part," insisted Cowen of Europe's talisman.

"The practice rounds this week will give him a competitive edge. They're playing them for money so there's a lot of pride at stake. That will get Lee up to speed."

Cowen became a regular on the Ryder Cup practice range at Valderrama in 1997 and since then has regularly had three players under his wing at the biennial match.

With other stars like Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia failing to qualify, Cowen has had more time for McDowell and Westwood.

"My job is to prepare them as best I can," says Cowen, who is based at the Grange in Rotherham.

As well as McDowell at Pebble Beach, Cowen also guided Louis Oosthuizen to victory at the Open at St Andrews in July.

"There'll be a lot of excitement surrounding the players, but that's more of a nervous edge.

"Graeme will be relaxed having Rory (McIlroy) as a partner. The two of them are great friends and will complement each other.

"And Lee will be compatible with anyone. If it's Martin Kaymer (as is looking likely) then that will suit him because they look the part. I'll be there for my two players and supporting the team."

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