Westwood reckons having partner as caddie can end two decades of hurt

LEE WESTWOOD has his girlfriend on his bag and not a care in the world when he sets foot on a golf course nowadays.

And that could be the key to him ending a two-decade run of nearmisses with what would be one of the most unlikely Open triumphs.

Rarely can a contender at the halfway stage of one of golf ’s blue riband events seem so relaxed, so chilled about the challenge ahead.

Let’s see if that is the case if the 46-year-old is still in the mix tomorrow afternoon but, for now, Westwood reckons there is not one iota of pressure on him.

He said: “I literally don’t care any more. I’ve never felt under that much pressure, to be honest. If it’s going to happen it’s going to happen and, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“Just go home and have dinner, go on holiday the next week. Do the same things, life won’t change.”

And after a bogey-free 67 left him at seven under for the championship – one shot behind leaders Shane Lowry and JB Holmes – Westwood credited his partner Helen Storey (above, with Westwood) for keeping him so laid-back amidst the intensity of an Open.

He explained: “Obviously I get on well with Helen. She doesn’t know too much about golf but she knows a lot about the way my mind works so she keeps me in a good frame of mind and focusing on the right things at the right time.

“We talk about dinner, where we are going on holiday, whether there’s a nail file in the bag... you’d be surprised at the sort of things we talk about out there.

“The favourite one was from Denmark the first week she caddied for me and I took out a divot and she’s walking back with it and I asked her what was wrong. She said, ‘I hope there’s not a worm in this.’ It makes me smile. It’s a big advantage.”

Westwood has 18 top-10 finishes in Majors, three of them as runnerup, including at the 2010 Open, but he has never won one. He is part of a threepronged English challenge that includes another big name looking for his Major breakthrough. Tommy Fleetwood also shot a 67 yesterday to be alongside Westwood at seven under in third place. And his intensity was certainly more tangible than his countryman’s.

“When these chances come around you want to take them,” said Fleetwood. “It’s your chance of putting your name in the history of the game. All of us dream of having Majors in our career and taking those opportunities.

‘‘The other side is that it’s important to embrace it and enjoy it, no matter what happens. You have to realise what a lucky position you’re in and how well you’ve done to get there. But I’m not going to tee off and say I’m going to love this whatever happens. I want to make it happen. “I want to win a Major.”

The third member of the English trio within striking distance of the lead wants to win a second Major.

Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open winner and world No.4, finished in a tie for second at Carnoustie 12 months ago and was bullish after his 67 left him a shot behind Westwood and Fleetwood.

Rose, who finished in a tie for fourth place at the 1998 Open when still an amateur, said: “I’m probably one of the best players in the world and so there should be expectation when you’re in contention.

“It was important for me to have that weekend last year because it made me believe I could win this tournament, so it is nice to get contention.”

Three contenders, three different approaches, the same goal.

To become the first Englishman to win The Open since Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992.

It should make compelling weekend.

I took out a divot and she’s saying, ‘I hope there is not a worm in it’. It makes me smile

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