The Open 2012: Graeme McDowell aims to emulate Darren Clarke

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell says he will be inspired by Darren Clarke as he aims to emulate his compatriot's 2011 victory in this year's Open.

McDowell begins the final day at Royal Lytham & St Annes four shots off leader Adam Scott in a share of second place.

"Darren will be an inspiration and someone that I'll think about a little bit tomorrow," said McDowell.

"I said to him, 'I've got a funny feeling we'll maybe be bringing that Claret Jug back to Northern Ireland'."

Clarke's victory 12 months ago at Sandwich was his first major triumph and the first time a Northern Irishman had won the Open since Fred Daly in 1947.

McDowell is searching for his second major triumph after lifting the US Open in 2010, a title he came close to winning again before being edged out by Webb Simpson at the Atlantic Club in June.

The 32-year-old is hopeful that his experience of final-day pressure will help him claw back Scott's advantage on a day that is forecast to be more windy than the calm conditions that have so far prevailed on the Lancashire coast.

"It will be a case of keeping your head down for 13 or 14 holes, that's what I did at Pebble [Beach where he won the US Open in 2010]," said McDowell.

"I'm in a very similar position to what I was at Pebble, where I was three back.

"He [Scott] is going to be the guy who's going to sleep on the lead tonight. He's going to be the guy with all the pressure.

"I'm probably not the only man in this field that's thought about picking this Claret Jug up.

"I've already thought about a few various liquids that I'd like to put in there and see what they might taste like out of the Claret Jug.

"But I'm not the only man that wants this thing tomorrow. All I can do is dream big, and I certainly will be dreaming big tonight."