‘The French Open has been a bit of a curse for me’

native Worksop to America this year in a bid to further his burning major ambitions, proving how much he desires one at the age of 39.

And with Father Time counting down, it’s clear how important this Open Championship is to England’s premier duo.

“I am getting closer and my record is there for all to see in the recent majors,” said Westwood, before yesterday’s fateful round in France.

“It’s very good. I have to keep putting myself in these positions and hope I get that little bit of luck and fortune to finish it off.

“I cannot keep asking myself what I need to do differently, how to prepare for this or that major.”

He added: “I am at the stage where I’m not willing to settle for what I’ve done before, but it’s uncontrollable.

“I can only come into tournaments and play as well as possible. After that it’s out of my hands.

“Majors are the only thing I haven’t won. This is the next possible opportunity, so that’s why I’m playing and I put in the preparation.

“Maybe I’ll never win one. Maybe I will. I have to keep working hard and trying to get myself into the position. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Nevertheless, both players – injury apart – would love to put such scrutiny to bed once and for all at Lytham and secure for themselves the status of golfing royalty afforded to major winners.