McDowell Close to Ryder Cup Place After Scottish Open Win

Graeme McDowell claimed a two-shot victory in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, recording his second European Tour title of the season.

The Northern Irishman carded a final-round 68 to finish with a 13-under tally of 271, two shots ahead of South Africa's James Kingston. McDowell, 28, picked up the £500,000 prize and is now sixth in the Ryder Cup standings. That means he is almost guaranteed a place in Nick Faldo's side to defend the trophy at Valhalla, Kentucky in September.

"It's a massive relief for me," McDowell told the BBC. "I have never stood on the 72nd tee holding a two-shot lead before. I don't think I have ever shaken so much in my life coming down the stretch. They were proper nerves I was feeling out there."McDowell, who won the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea in March, had begun the day tied for the lead with England's Simon Khan, who moved two shots clear after a birdie on the 11th. However, the 36-year-old from Essex went on to double-bogey on the 12th and 17th and finished fifth, although the result was enough to give him the penultimate qualifying spot for Thursday's British Open at Royal Birkdale.

There was less success for some of the big names in the tournament. World No2 Phil Mickelson could only manage a closing round of 73 to finish on two under par, while former double-Scottish Open winner Ernie Els was joint ninth after a 69.