McDowell felt Scott's pain close up

• By Jay Coffin
• Jul 22, 2012 3:52 PM ET

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Graeme McDowell was caught in an awkward situation Sunday at the British Open. He was in the final group Sunday for the second consecutive major championship and failed to win.

But that’s not the awkward part. McDowell was 4 over par after 10 holes and well out of contention. But he was paired with Adam Scott and had a front-row seat for the collapse over the last four holes.

“It was tough to say anything to him that was going to be of any relevance,” said McDowell, who shot a final-round 75 to tie for fifth place. “I said he’s a great champion and I said there’s many more majors ahead for him. It’s just a tough beat.”

McDowell missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole of the U.S. Open last month that would’ve sent him into a playoff with Webb Simpson. Here Sunday at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, McDowell really never contended. He hit wayward drives, hooked a fairway wood into the bushes and failed to convert key putts at big moments.

“I'm not splattered on the floor right now in disappointment, I'm just a little frustrated that I got off to flat starts both times now in the last rounds of majors,” McDowell said. “I guess my disappointment kind of seems relatively stupid in relation to the guy – I've just seen a guy lose the Open Championship.”