Thomas McGuigan, BBC Scotland Sport at Loch Lomond

McDowell cannot hide his delight after winning at Loch Lomond

Graeme McDowell counts cars, shooting, snooker and Manchester United among his passions.

The golfer from Portrush, Northern Ireland, proved he was able to handle the pressure of life in the fast lane by winning The Scottish Open at Loch Lomond by two strokes.

His closing round of 68 saw him finish the tournament on 13 under par, two ahead of South African James Kingston, and all but secure his place in Europe's Ryder Cup team for September's trip to the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.

McDowell, who finished third in last week's European Open, hit the greens with his irons with unerring accuracy.

The player told reporters at Loch Lomond on Saturday that he watched the last Ryder Cup on television and was part of a broadcast commentary team - a 14-hour slog. It was agony, he said, and revealed he was determined to play in the next one.

His Scottish Open victory will surely now see him realise that ambition and, on current form, none of the Americans will fancy playing McDowell in the singles.

"The Ryder Cup is something that I've really wanted to do," said McDowell.

"I desperately want to be in the team. Chasing the Ryder Cup is tough. We're out here playing tournament golf every week and it's tough enough competing without having it at the back of your mind.

I managed to get through those last three holes and I don't think I've shaken as much as that before in my life Graeme McDowell, Scottish Open winner

"I'm happy with the way I've been able to stay focused and give myself the chance to win tournaments."

But before Louisville, the likeable Northern Irishman has The Open to consider. His accuracy off the tee is fantastic and after sinking a few putts he must be approaching Royal Birkdale with relish.

A bogey at the par 3 17th must have set McDowell's pulse racing, but he regained his composure with a beautiful drive on 18 and an iron to the green which he flashed like a magic wand. The ball almost bounced into the hole before rolling 10 feet past.

Two putts meant a closing round of 68, winning the Scottish Open by two strokes on 13 under par and giving McDowell 500,000 reasons to be feeling wonderful about his game.

"It's just unbelievable," he said after picking up his cheque for �500,000.

"It's been a tough weekend's golf and it's a massive relief. I've never had a two-shot lead coming down the 18th hole and I have to say I prefer it to the play-offs.

McDowell celebrates victory with his parents

"Having my mum, dad and family here today, it's pretty special, I have to say."

Colin Craig, 16, from Falkirk, was the scoreboard carrier for McDowell's pairing with Simon Khan.

He told BBC Sport that coming down the 18th hole with the crowd cheering the final pairing was an emotional experience.

"I think Graeme McDowell's a worthy winner," he said.

"Ten under at the start of the final round, a few shots here and there, then a fantastic drive on the 13th.

"Walking up the 18th, with the crowds at all sides, what a fantastic feeling. I almost had a tear in my eye when the crowd were shouting. I looked over at my scorer and we could see people all over the fairway. I didn't realise until the 16th hole how big this tournament was."

Despite his ice-cool stroke play, McDowell revealed he was an anxious man in the closing stages at Loch Lomond.

"I managed to get through those last three holes and I don't think I've shaken as much as that before in my life," he said.

"Those were proper nerves."

On this kind of form, it's the other players at Royal Birkdale who should be nervous.

Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, carded the joint best round of the day. A 7 under par 64 to move him to 8 under for the tournament.

The golfer from Dechmont, West Lothian, made seven birdies without dropping a shot, coming home in 31 to cap a superb display, which was matched by Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

Paul Lawrie, meanwhile, carded a final round 70 to finish the tournament on 7 under par.

Of the other Scots in the field, Andrew Oldcorn closed with a 73 to end on 1 over; with Alasdair Forsyth also finishing 1 over.