Holder McDowell faces European challenege in World Match Play

European Ryder Cup player Graeme McDowell hits out of a bunker on the third hole during the 40th Ryder Cup singles matches at Gleneagles in Scotland September 28, 2014. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

LONDON (Reuters) - Graeme McDowell will have to overcome European opposition as he seeks to retain his title in the Volvo World Match Play Championship, which begins at the London Golf Club on Wednesday.

Northern Ireland's McDowell, seeded to play the tournament's top-ranked player Henrik Stenson in the final on Sunday, has been drawn with Dutchman Joost Luiten, Finland's Mikko Illonen and France's Alexander Levy in the group stage of the prestigious event, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.