There was a time when Graeme McDowell did not need to fret much about qualifying for major championships.

Between 2008 and 2016, he made 34 consecutive appearances on golf’s biggest stages, a run highlighted by a memorable 2010 US Open triumph at Pebble Beach.

As a former world number four and four-time Ryder Cup player, McDowell became accustomed to contending at the highest level, but this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills marks the 46-year-old’s first major appearance in six years.

While understandably thrilled to be back at the championship that gave him his greatest day, he feels this week is as much about his nine-year-old son Wills.

“I wasn’t sure I was ever going to get to show him me out here playing in it with the sands of time continuing to deplete,” admitted Northern Ireland’s McDowell.

“There’s a large appreciation for me being here this week at a major. At a point of my career, these were automatic and when they get taken away from you, you realise how much you miss them and appreciate the opportunity to be on golf’s biggest stages.”