Sunday 10 July 2016 09:29, UK
After battling the elements this week, Graeme McDowell thinks playing in the Scottish Open is great preparation ahead of The Open at Royal Troon next week.
McDowell performed in the worst of the weather to card a three-under-par 69 during the third round of the Scottish Open on Saturday, where he sits four-shots behind leader Alex Noren.
The third round at Castle Stuart presented itself as an easy challenge early on with barely a whisper of wind, and McDowell was left frustrated as he racked up two bogeys on the front-nine for a one-over 37.
As the rain battered the course and the wind began to pick up McDowell found his form, and with four-birdies on the back-nine that included three on the trot between 14 and 16, he looks to be in good shape ahead of The Open next week, live on Sky Sports.
McDowell said: "On a day like today, after really tough windy days, you know the course is there for the taking.
"Somehow, when the weather got bad, I managed to dig in and make some birdies coming in.
"I want to go try and compete tomorrow, (to win) would be very special. It's a pretty packed leaderboard and I'm not sure what the weather has in store."
The 2008 Scottish Open champion is hoping he can put himself in contention during the final round on Sunday, but admits one of the best things about playing the week before The Open is getting to grips with the possible conditions on the links course.
"This is great preparation for next week, I think we're going to see plenty of this wind, plenty of this rain," said McDowell.
"I think if you're going to win the Claret Jug next week, you're going to have to be adapted to these types of conditions."
Watch the Scottish Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
