GRAEME MCDOWELL – looking to make history by winning the Scottish Open and lifting the Claret Jug back to back – could not bounce back from his third round 80.

The Ulsterman, hoping to win his third golf tournament in just four months, was left feeling he had contributed to his own downfall in the 137th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, even if the Irish had plenty to cheer about with Padraig Harrington’s successful defence of the Claret Jug he won at Carnoustie Golf Club 12 months earlier.

Graeme McDowell reflected after carding a fourth round 72, which left him in a 13-way tie for 19th place: “After Loch Lomond last week we'd come here with a lot of expectations and I knew I was playing well.

“I knew I'd a little left in the tank but probably threw it all away on Saturday and to do it on the greens made it even more frustrating.

“You wouldn't mind if you hit it in the rough with a couple of slashes, maybe drove it badly, but I hit it well enough to do the business, then I threw it away with my pace putting.

“Usually, speed putting is one of my strengths but it wasn't very good the last couple of days. Obviously, if it's this windy, you're going to miss greens, so you have to scramble well.

“I didn't scramble at all well the last two days and that's what I put it down to. I probably threw away six or seven shots around the greens the last couple of days.

“It made the difference between making up the numbers instead of having a chance to contend,” said the 28-year-old, who is all but assured of his place in Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team heading to Kentucky in September.

The Portrush golfer, who was the joint leader after the first round, was joined on 14-over by world number two Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

His best-ever finish in his previous four appearances came at St Andrews two three years ago when he finished tied for 11th place.

Golf article end.