Westy - I should have won it

Westwood: Not expecting to sleep too well after Turnberry

I feel like I'm getting closer (to winning a major). I'm certainly contending more often and getting myself in good positions.

Lee Westwood
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Lee Westwood told Sky Sports News that he should have won the Open - and expects to suffer some sleepless nights because of his failure to do so.

A three-putt bogey at the 18th hole on the final day at Turnberry denied the Englishman the chance to join Stewart Cink and Tom Watson in a play-off.

Westwood, who lost in a play-off at the French Open at the start of July, held a two-shot lead as he approached the turn but had to settle for a share of third with compatriot Chris Wood.

The disappointment of missing out on the Claret Jug was just the latest near miss for the 36-year-old, who last tasted victory at the 2007 British Masters.

Another opportunity

"I've played okay all year," the Worksop-born Ryder Cup star said. "At the French Open I lost in a play-off and then at Loch Lomond I played very well again and had a good chance there.

"Then obviously last week at The Open I feel like I ought to have won it. It keeps you awake at night for a few weeks, but you have to get over it and move onto the next one.

"The USPGA is in a few weeks' time and is another opportunity to win a major. It can't come along soon enough.

"I feel like I'm getting closer (to winning a major). I'm certainly contending more often and getting myself in good positions."

Watson praise

Westwood, who had believed he would need a birdie at the last to move level with Watson, was full of praise for the way the American played.

In the end the 59-year-old - a five-time winner of the Open during his prime - missed a short putt to clinch the title, before losing by six shots to compatriot Cink over the extra four holes.

"For all the people there that remember Tom winning the Open back in the late 70s and early 80s, it was another reminder that you can carry on playing golf to a fantastic standard into a good age," Westwood added.

"He's 59-years-old, 60 coming up, and he's giving the younger guys a run for their money."