Scottish Open Reax: Molinari captures first European Tour victory at gusty Loch Lomond

Edoardo Molinari outlasted the field at the Scottish Open, but not before Loch Lomond got one last shot in during Sunday's final round. The weather during the opening nine holes turned a relatively easy course into a preview of the possible conditions players could face during next week's British Open at St. Andrews.

With 30 mph gusts and occasional rain plaguing the final round, most players found it increasingly difficult to make a move on Moilinari. Seven players managed to break par during the final round, as opposed to the 35 that managed to fire under par rounds on Saturday. 

Molinari captured his first European Tour victory, making him the 10th first-time winner this year on the European Tour, and one of the odds-on favorites going into next week's British Open. Unlike most first-time winners, Molinari enjoyed a relatively stress-free final round.

Darren Clarke, who was only two shots off the lead at the start of play on Sunday, looked lost for most of the day, his putter all but deserting him when he had to make a critical putt. His inability to put the pressure on Molinari, coupled with the large lead the Italian had over the rest of the field, allowed Molinari to coast to victory with a final round three-over 74 when his game was floundering.

Daly Demolition: Everything you needed to know about John Daly's week at the Scottish Open were summed up in a span of two holes. After starting the final round in a tie for ninth, Daly managed to grind out an even-par 36 on the opening nine in less-than-stellar conditions. It seemed like Daly was embracing the decision to play it safe and go for the high finish, especially when the rest of the field was falling off the pace.

But then came the 12th hole at Loch Lomond, a hole that came complete with a sucker pin set on the right side of the green, right next to a diabolical swale that collected a number of balls on Sunday. As usual, Daly went for the green and ended up in the swale. 

It took him two shots to get his ball on the green before walking away with a triple-bogey 7. He followed the hole up with another triple-bogey on the par-5 13th. The momentum Daly had built through the first 65 holes was gone in a matter of two. He finished the day at six-over 77 (T-26 overall). 

Those two holes summed up Daly's golf career over the last couple of years.

Canizares Choke: Spain's Alejandro Canizares wins the award for most bizarre round of the day (and possible the week). After starting the final round out with three birdies in the first three holes, Canizares proceeded to lose his mind -- and his game -- in a span of six holes. 

A double-bogey on the fourth hole started a stretch of six holes where Canizares failed to not only make a birdie, but a par as well. When the dust had settled, Canizares went out in 42 (nine-over in the span of six holes), all but erasing a fantastic start to the day.

Storm-y Weather: All Graeme Storm needed to was maintain a T-5 finish or better on Sunday to book his place in the field at the British Open. Sitting on the line in fifth place at the start of play, Storm couldn't keep him game together, missing not only a chance for a big payday, but a chance to play at St. Andrews next week. 

Notables: Darren Clarke punched his ticket to the British Open with a second place finish this week. ... Heath Slocum and John Daly were the top two Americans in the field, both finishing at 2-over 286 for the week. ... Molinari's best finish prior to his first win on the European Tour was a fourth place finish at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor.