McDowell: bidding for first win of the season at Loch Lomond
There's no way round it, this is not ideal preparation. I've always played Loch Lomond before the Open but you couldn't get two more different styles of golf. This is soft, thick meadow grass.
Graeme McDowell
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Graeme McDowell admits the Barclays Scottish Open is not the ideal way to prepare for the following week's Open Championship.
The Northern Irishman triumphed at Loch Lomond 12 months ago and returns to the scenic venue aiming for a repeat performance.
But he also concedes a successful defence could actually hamper his chances for the Open at Turnberry, which starts on July 16.
Last year, McDowell followed his Scottish Open win by leading the Open after the first round at Birkdale - but he eventually faded into a tie for 19th.
"There's no way round it, this is not ideal preparation," said McDowell.
"I've always played Loch Lomond before the Open but you couldn't get two more different styles of golf. This is soft, thick meadow grass.
"I got off to a good start at Birkdale but when it started blowing there on Saturday I just felt like I ran out of steam a little bit.
Massive high
"Any time I've ever won it's a massive high and it takes you a little bit of time to come down from that.
"I think you're always learning from those experiences. I'm always a guy that, when you see players win back-to-back weeks, I think, 'how can they do that?'
"They're always good problems to have, reacting to wins, but I'm trying to do that better and better all the time."
McDowell played Turnberry for a second time on Monday, and commented: "It's got some of the heaviest links rough I've ever seen.
"If you miss it in the wrong place you might want to bring a couple of golf balls with you. I certainly lost a couple.
"Right of the 17th green I've never seen rough as thick in all my life. You've got to know which you can miss it on and which you can't."
