Graeme McDowell: 'It was tough for Adam Scott'

Graeme McDowell has revealed that he struggled to console Adam Scott after the Australian threw away the Open Championship on Sunday.

Scott, who started the final day with a four-shot lead, carded four consecutive bogeys on the final four holes to allow Ernie Els a one-shot victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

"It was tough to say anything to him that was going to be of any relevance," said Northern Irishman McDowell. "I said he's a great champion and there are many majors ahead for him. It's just a tough beat.

"He's going to be extremely heart-broken and disappointed, but he's a great, great, great player and that's what I tried to convey to him on the last green.

"Like I say, it felt like a futile exercise trying to say anything to him, but I'm sure he's going to be unbelievably disappointed."

McDowell finished tied for fourth with world number one Luke Donald.