McDowell looks set for Ryder Cup place after Scottish Open victory

NORTHERN Ireland's Graeme McDowell today claimed his second European Tour title of the season at the Barclays Scottish Open – and with it virtually sealed a Ryder Cup debut.

McDowell carded a final-round 68 at Loch Lomond to finish 13 under par, two shots ahead of South African James Kingston, with Australia's Richard Green and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez a shot further back in third.

The £500,000 first prize lifted the 28-year-old from Portrush from 10th to sixth in the Ryder Cup standings and only an extraordinary series of results can deny him a place in Nick Faldo's side to defend the trophy at Valhalla in September.

England's Simon Khan held a two-shot lead after 11 holes of the final round but double-bogeyed the 12th and 17th to finish fifth.

He at least had the consolation of securing the final place on offer in The Open at Royal Birkdale.

Khan held his nerve to par the last when a bogey would have handed the spot to Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, who closed with a superb 64.
McDowell and Khan began the day tied for the lead and were still locked together at the turn on 12 under par.

Khan then moved two shots clear after a birdie on the 11th followed McDowell's bogey on the 10th.

But that lasted just one hole when the 36-year-old from Essex ran up a double bogey six on the 12th, needing two attempts to chip up a steep slope onto the putting surface after his approach came up short of the green.

McDowell moved into the outright lead with a birdie on the 13th and after both players had birdied the short par-four 14th – McDowell two-putting after driving the green – the decisive moment came on the 15th.
Khan took a bogey five after pushing his drive into deep rough, while McDowell hit a superb approach to three feet for birdie to open up a three-shot cushion.

World number two Phil Mickelson could only manage a closing round of 73 to finish well off the pace on two under par, while Ernie Els – twice a winner here – was joint ninth after a 69.