Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell is confident that he will be suitably prepared for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon after playing in the Scottish Open.

The former US Open champion decided to play in the tournament in Aberdeen in an attempt to find his best form ahead of the third major of the campaign.

He could go into the Open Championship with another European Tour win under his belt after another solid round on Saturday at Castle Stuart.

McDowell, on offer at 81.00 to win at Royal Troon, was one of very few players to perform in the wind and rain as he fired a three-under round of 69 to move within four shots of outright leader Alexander Noren.

After a slow start, the 36-year-old seemed to improve as the conditions got worse but he believes this weekend will stand him in good stead for next week’s 145th Open Championship.

He told Sky Sports: “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.

“This is great preparation for next week, I think we’re going to see plenty of this wind, plenty of this rain.

“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.”