McGowan back in the swing

McGowan: back in action

Ross McGowan is hoping an extended break will serve him well as he looks get his season underway in earnest at this week's China Open.

McGowan was forced to sit out last week's Masters after failing to force his way into the world's top 50 in time for the first major of the season.

As a result, the 27-year-old Englishman opted to take a month-long break from the game after finishing 30th in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral at the start of March.

He had shown some glimpses of early-season form until that point, notably knocking then world number two Steve Stricker out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in the first round, and is hoping to pick up where he left off in China this week.

"I haven't played a tournament since Doral, but I was practising last week in Dubai and the golf feels good and the course looks very good," he stated.

"It was a little bit disappointing having to take a break after a few good results in America.

"This year has been a bit tricky. It was great playing the Match Play and Doral, but there are a few weeks in between them so it is hard to get into a rhythm so from here on until August I will be playing virtually every week with just the odd week off."

Focus

Last year's Madrid Masters champion is already guaranteed a place in the remaining three Majors of the year and, while admitting his disappointment at missing out on Augusta, is now focusing on the remainder of a season that could climax in a Ryder Cup debut.

"I would have loved to play better at the Match Play and Doral to get into the Masters after playing in Morocco and Andalucia," he continued.

"But one win wouldn't have been enough so I felt like I was chasing it a bit so I thought I would take a couple of weeks off and then go to Dubai and then concentrate on these events and the rest of the season.

"I hope this now is the real start of my year. This is the point where I wanted to be ready to kick on and I think I am."

McGowan expects the Gary Player-designed Jinji Lake Golf Club in Suzhou to provide a solid examination of a field that includes the likes of Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson, especially if the windy conditions in the region continue.

"The course is very good," he added. "It is fairly generous all round and will suit the good ball strikers who are consistent.

"But if the wind keeps up and the temperature stays as low as it is, it is going to be a tough week."