McDowell keen to show he can win multiple majors

(PA)

Graeme McDowell defends his US Open title in Washington this coming week motivated by the desire to prove he is no one-hit wonder in the majors.

With his Pebble Beach victory, Ryder Cup match-winning heroics and then a play-off triumph over Tiger Woods in December from four behind with a round to go, McDowell's place in European golf history is already assured.

But at 31 the Northern Irishman is looking to take his career to the next level – just as Padraig Harrington did after capturing the 2007 Open. "Subconsciously we all want to prove ourselves," McDowell said. "I don't want to be a one-hit wonder – I want to be the best player I can be.

"What have I got? Five, 10, maybe 15 years of probably the prime of my career. Can I get better? Yeah. There are so many areas of my game that I can get much, much better at.

"I really do believe I've got the game to win an Open. Links is in my blood and I'd love to win an Open. But you've got to take every week as it comes and Congressional is going to be a huge milestone for me."