On Sunday night Graeme McDowell became the first European to win the US Open in 40 years.

The US Open is one of the four golfmajors and is a highlight in the sporting calendar.

The 30-year-old from Northern Ireland beat off golf heavyweights Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson and Ernie Els to clinch the prestigious title. On the final day of the week-long competition, McDowell held off the challengefrom France's Gregory Havret to win by one shot.

Graeme has been playing professionally since 2002 and said "It's an absolute dream come true, I've dreamed about this all my life."

It's hard to believe that two months ago Graeme was in danger of not qualifying for the competition, but a win at the Wales Open secured his place at the major.

Graeme's father Ken was the first to congratulate him

Tiger Woods had previously won the competition three times and after a good third round Tiger looked in with a chance of a fourth win. But after five months away from the game under an intense media spotlight, following ascandal in his private life, the A-list golfer could not muster up enough confidence to be triumphant.

From winning the title, Graeme not only gains a tidy sum of money but also jumps from 37th to 13th in the golf world rankings.

However, despite earning a lucrative salary every year, Graeme is stillfirmly rooted in his home town of Portrush on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

He admits that professional golfers can lead very lavish lifestyles and that you can become "blasé" about it. However he says that is why his home town is very important to him and is what keeps him "grounded".

So where to celebrate his historic victory? Portrush of course!

Graeme says he will be joining his friends at home for a pint of the traditional Irish black beer, Guinness.