McDowell secures Scottish Open glory

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (CNN) -- Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell took charge on the back nine to claim the Scottish Open title at Loch Lomond by two strokes from James Kingston of South Africa.

McDowell, who started the day tied for the lead with Simon Khan, broke out of a logjam with a run of three straight birdies through the 15th while his challengers frittered away shots on the closing holes.

Khan, who had led by two shots around the turn, was among those to fall away, his one-over 72 seeing him in fifth place, but claiming the qualifying place on offer for the British Open next week at Royal Birkdale.

McDowell, who admitted afterwards that he had "never shaken as much", dropped a shot on the par three 17th, but a majestic approach to the 18th to set up a surefire par four.

It completed a three-under round of 68 to total 271 - 13-under-par.

McDowell, who was winning for the second time this season, also virtually assured his spot on the European Ryder Cup team for September's match at Valhalla against the United States.

"This is is just unbelievable. It's a massive relief this is one of the toughest finishes in European golf," McDowell told BBC Sport after his triumph.

McDowell had been joined in a four-way share for the lead with Australian duo Adam Scott and Richard Green and South African James Kingston early in the final round.

But world number three Scott, who had started with a triple-bogey seven on his opening hole on Thursday, proceeded to run up back-to-back double bogeys on the ninth and 10th to fall out of contention.

A further double bogey on the 17th saw Scott limp home with a 74 for 280.

Kingston continued his fine progress for a 66 to set the clubhouse target on 273 - 11-under-par, with Green and Migel Angel Jimenez of Spain finishing in a tie for third on 272.

The tournament is the final warm-up for the third major of the season at Royal Birkdale and world number six Ernie Els showed he is solid form with a 69 to finish in a tie for ninth at seven under, but world number two Phil Mickelson fell away with a 73 to close at two under.