McDowell wins Scottish Open by two
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Scottish Open | Round Four | 14 Jul 2008
Graeme McDowell moved into second position on the 2008 European Order of Merit when a final round of 68 saw him a two shot winner of the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.
It was McDowell’s second win of the season, and his fourth European Tour title overall, following his victory in Korea in March. Perhaps even more important, was that it confirmed McDowell would play the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2008 and provide an opportunity for him to become a member of winning Walker and Ryder Cup teams. McDowell was a member of the successful 2001 Walker Cup winning team.
McDowell led with Simon Khan leading into day four and as the pair made the turn they continued to share the lead at 12 under. Khan actually moved two clear early in the back nine but a double bogey at the 12th, followed by another at the 17th, left McDowell on his own.
While Khan was battling to finish the event off, South Africa’s James Kingston was putting in a big finish and with birdies at his 15th and 17th holes, he was able to grab second outright ahead of Richard Green and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Khan eventually finished fourth but received a consolation when he earned the one remaining place at the Open Championship for European Tour players by being the leading player in this event inside the top five but not otherwise exempt.
McDowell, Green and Jimenez were already exempt for next week’s Open Championship via their status in Europe or in the case of Green because of his great week at Carnoustie last year. Kingston was also exempt via his success on the South African Sunshine Tour. Kahn therefore was the only player needing an exemption to the Open and he now has it.
For Green and Jimenez, their performances this week are very timely. They must be considered good chances for this week’s Open Championship, especially after Green’s last round of 64 at Carnoustie last year and Jimenez’s very impressive 6th at Torrey Pines.
The next best Australian after Green was Adam Scott who started the tournament on Thursday with a triple bogey, worked his way back into contention on Friday and Saturday and then shot 74 today. He finished 25th.
New Zealander Mark Brown was 38th, Matthew Millar was 51st and Scott Strange 61st.
