• European Tour

McDowell confirms Scottish Open spot

US Open champion Graeme McDowell has confirmed that he will play in next month's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

The Ulsterman, who carved his place in European history by becoming the first player from the continent to win the US Open in 40 years, won the event in 2008, beating James Kingston by two shots.

McDowell will have to overcome the likes of world No. 2 Phil Mickelson and No. 3 Lee Westwood if he is to recapture his crown - won last year by Germany's Martin Kaymer - and the 30-year-old is excited by the prospect of teeing it up again at the Dunbartonshire course.

"It's no secret Loch Lomond is one of my favourite venues of the entire year on the Tour," McDowell said. "Winning that one is right up there with my best moments in golf and to be coming back to Loch Lomond as a US Open winner will be unbelievable."

McDowell's US Open heroics laid down a big marker down for European golf ahead of this year's Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and Europe captain Colin Montgomerie feels the Northern Irishman's putting was a key reason for his success.

"It was a magnificent performance," Montgomerie, twice a runner-up in the US Open, said. "He holed so many key putts - especially a crucial one on the eighth for par - and was very impressive throughout the week.

"He showed great strength of character in getting the job done in such superb fashion. He is a world-class player and obviously I am delighted to have a 2010 major winner in my team this year.

"All credit to Graeme to be the first European player in 40 years to win. Nick (Faldo), Bernhard (Langer) and myself came close, but none of us achieved what he has. This is great for British golf and also the European Tour. Golf salutes him."

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