Damien McGrane toyed with the idea of trekking in the foothills of Mount Everest next year.

But the grinding Kells man, who turns 40 in April, just can’t find the time as he’s set his sights on reaching the summit of golf again by adding to his lone European Tour victory in 2011.

Is there tougher man in world golf right now than Graeme McDowell?

The answer to that question has to be a resounding “no” after the 31-year old US Open champion came through a final round battle for survival on a blustery day in Spain to win the €3 million Andalucia Valderrama Masters by two shots on three under par from fellow Irishmen Gareth Maybin (76) and Damien McGrane (72) and the Dane Soren Kjeldsen (69).

Graeme McDowell is expecting a battle royale with stablemate Gareth Maybin for the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Sunday afternoon.

Graeme McDowell underlined his status as a golfing grandmaster when he combined chess like precision with some good old fashioned scrambling to open with an impeccable, three under par 68 in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.

Peter Lawrie can cap a magical month by putting Race to Dubai rivals Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer in the shade in Spain.