World number one Luke Donald maintained his impressive form ahead of next week's Open with victory in the rain-hit Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
Donald carded a final-day score of 63 to clinch the title by four shots from Sweden's Fredrik Andersson.
"I am high in confidence going into the Open," Donald told BBC Sport.
Colin Montgomerie's score of 10 under par was not good enough to see him qualify for the Open, an event he will sit out for the first time since 1989.
The former Europe Ryder Cup captain needed a top-five finish at Castle Stuart to stand a chance of making next week's major in Sandwich.
Despite briefly holding a share of the lead following a birdie at the par-five sixth, a disastrous double-bogey on the short 11th ultimately cost him an opportunity to seal his Open place as he eventually finished back in joint 31st place.
"I got in a position and it's disappointing," said the eight-time European number one, whose five second places in major are a record for someone who has never won one.
"It was going well and then I sort of ran out of puff. I'm just driving home now and it will sink in then."
Rookie Scott Jamieson finished tied for third which is enough to see him into the field for the Open which begins on Thursday.
But the day belonged to the imperious Donald, who secured his first victory since becoming world number one.
"It was a long week and dragged on because of the weather," Donald told BBC Sport.
"We had as much rain this week as they usually get in five months so it was good to win it and is good preparation for the Open," he added.
If Donald does go on to win in Sandwich next week, he will make history as no player has ever won the Scottish Open and gone on to win the Open.
Donald carded a final-day score of 63 to clinch the title by four shots from Sweden's Fredrik Andersson.
"I am high in confidence going into the Open," Donald told BBC Sport.
Colin Montgomerie's score of 10 under par was not good enough to see him qualify for the Open, an event he will sit out for the first time since 1989.
The former Europe Ryder Cup captain needed a top-five finish at Castle Stuart to stand a chance of making next week's major in Sandwich.
Despite briefly holding a share of the lead following a birdie at the par-five sixth, a disastrous double-bogey on the short 11th ultimately cost him an opportunity to seal his Open place as he eventually finished back in joint 31st place.
"I got in a position and it's disappointing," said the eight-time European number one, whose five second places in major are a record for someone who has never won one.
"It was going well and then I sort of ran out of puff. I'm just driving home now and it will sink in then."
Rookie Scott Jamieson finished tied for third which is enough to see him into the field for the Open which begins on Thursday.
But the day belonged to the imperious Donald, who secured his first victory since becoming world number one.
"It was a long week and dragged on because of the weather," Donald told BBC Sport.
"We had as much rain this week as they usually get in five months so it was good to win it and is good preparation for the Open," he added.
If Donald does go on to win in Sandwich next week, he will make history as no player has ever won the Scottish Open and gone on to win the Open.
