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4 years after holing winning putt, Graeme McDowell wants to be main man again at Ryder Cup

Associated Press
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Europe’s Graeme McDowell plays out of a bunker onto the 3rd green during a practice round ahead of the Ryder Cup golf tournament, at Gleneagles, Scotland, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (The Associated Press)

Europe players Graeme McDowell pulls the ears of Martin Kaymer as Henrik Stenson, left, looks on during a team photograph ahead of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Gleneagles, Scotland, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (The Associated Press)

Two years after the "Miracle of Medinah," it's not just the Americans seeking redemption at this year's Ryder Cup.

Graeme McDowell holed the winning putt for the European team at Celtic Manor in 2010 but was a peripheral figure in Medinah, earning one point from four matches as his partnership with Rory McIlroy struggled.

Europe's come-from-behind win was tinged with disappointment for the Northern Irishman, who says he was "low on energy ... physically not where I needed to be."

A month after the birth of his first child, Vale Esme, McDowell is counting on a "delayed nappy (diaper) effect" kicking in for his fourth straight Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

McDowell has experienced it all at the Ryder Cup — the first shot, the last shot and everything in between.