Graeme McDowell could skip next week's Scottish Open and miss The Open because he's tired and misses his kids.

The pooped Portrush star (38) believes he needs a break after playing seven events in eight weeks.

After bogeying the 18th for a 73 that leaves him making up the numbers on one-over, he confessed: "Maybe I need to take a week off.  

"My game is close but I feel like there is a cylinder missing at the moment.

“I’ve played a lot of golf the last two months and I miss the kids a little bit, I have to be honest.”

McDowell's week began badly when his clubs went missing en route from Paris to Manchester and he pulled out of Final Qualifying for The Open.

Now he must decide whether he will skip next week’s Scottish Open at Gullane and his last chance to win one of three spots at Carnoustie or head home to Orlando to recharge and see the family.

He said:  "I am going to play tomorrow and have a good chat about whether I am going to play next week or not because I have got a lot of golf to play. 

“If I don't get in The Open I have got six days off and play Canada, then I am probably going to go to Reno and hopefully I get in the PGA the week after.

"Then there's the Wyndham and hopefully the Playoffs and I haven't seen my family much at all. 

“It’s been a really hard run the last two months — I’ve had six days off between Italy and the US Open — and something's got to give. 

"The game is not giving me anything. 

“If I shoot 64 tomorrow I could be Gullane-bound but we will wait 24 hours and then see where we're at."

Shane Lowry was furious as he shot a 74 to see his slim title chances evaporate.

After mixing four bogeys with six bogeys, he said: "I don't even want to talk through my round. 

"I'm just disappointed and annoyed and I just want to get out of here to be honest.

“After playing my way out of the tournament it doesn't matter what I do tomorrow. It's going to be a disappointing week."

Paul Dunne felt he could have been five-under after seven holes but he missed a string of putts and ended up signing for a 72 that leaves him alongside McDowell at one-over.

After following two early birdies with a bogey at the eighth and a double bogey six at the 10th, he said: "There was definitely a seven-under out there for me but today was not the day for it.

"On 10 I tried to drive the green and leaked it out right and couldn't move it. That kind of halted all momentum I had."