STEPHEN Gallacher today vowed to play his way on to the European team for the Ryder Cup in back-to-back events in the United States.

Gallacher finished as top Scot in the Open at Hoylake in a share of 15th place after posting a four-under-par final round 68 yesterday afternoon.

The 40-year-old's fine display at Royal Liverpool has greatly boosted his chances of getting into Paul McGinley's side at Gleneagles in September.

The Bathgate man will jet across the Atlantic later this week to prepare for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone and the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.

He feels he can continue his fine form in those multi-million dollar tournaments and increase his chances of playing in the biennial contest with the United States.

He said: "I was delighted to record my best ever finish in the Open. I'll take top 15 in a Major. I just carried on playing the way I have been playing this year at Hoylake.

"It means I get more Ryder Cup points. I wasn't really thinking about that because I was playing in the Open, but it definitely helps to go towards it.

"I'm confident going into the WGC event because I am more comfortable playing in it. I played Firestone last year. I'll know more about the pin positions and so on.

"I am far more comfortable playing out in America now. I've done pretty well in the PGA Championship a couple of times in the past [he finished 18th in 2010 and 61st in 2013]. I'm looking forward to these events. If I can keep playing the way that I have been playing then hopefully I will be able to improve my standing."

Meanwhile, Marc Warren will meet Bothwell Castle professional Alan McCloskey this week in an attempt to sort out his swing after a poor finish to the Open.

The Glasgow man was tied for 12th place entering the final round at Hoylake - but crashed to a disastrous four-over-par 76 to tumble back down the field.

Afterwards he revealed that he had been struggling with his game all week and is keen to get a lesson from his coach McCloskey as soon as possible.

The former European Tour Rookie of the Year is also competing in the final Major of the season next month and is hoping to repeat his stunning performance last year.

Warren, who ended up in a tie for 39th spot on Merseyside, finished in a tie for 12th on his debut in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill last year.

But he feels he has to work hard with McCloskey and make improvements to his swing if he is to do well at Valhalla.

He said: "I just wasn't hitting anything straight or out the middle of the club. I was basically standing over every shot not knowing where it was going.

"I sent Alan a couple of swings on video and he said it wasn't far away. But I just didn't feel comfortable. It's still relatively new as well so when it goes off I am not sure yet how to fix it myself.

"It has been a long run of golf for me. I will have a few days off and then go and see Alan and try and get my game sorted out before going and playing in the US PGA Championship."

Elsewhere, Jamie McLeary from Peterhead carded a two-under-par 70 to finish on three-over-par and in a share of 58th place.