Westwood needs to show his Major credentials

Lee Westwood missed out on another key title after a poor final round at the Players Championship which cast further doubts over his nerve and temperament.

The 37-year old lost an overnight lead going into the final day, as he did almost a month earlier when Phil Mickelson claimed his third green jacket at Augusta.

This time around Westwood led from the second round and looked set to land golf’s unofficial Major at the turn on Sunday. But a bogey on 14 before finding the water on 17 to card a double bogey dashed his hopes once again - Tim Clark taking advantage with a five-under 67 to secure the win.

The Nottinghamshire golfer began his career encouragingly, but it has been since winning the Dubai World Championships at the tail end of 2009 where he has discovered the form he has always promised.

His ranking of number four in the world is remarkable for a golfer who not so long ago was languishing 256th in the world. He has had great consistency of late, finishing in the top ten more often than not – on 18 occasions in the last 24 to be precise – but has failed to be on top of the pile come Sunday evening.

This is a curse which also plagued Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomery, who has finished second on no less than five occasions in Major championships – but should Monty be concerned the top-ranked European is unable to close out tournaments ahead of the bi-annual clash at The Celtic Manor in October.

Of the world’s current top 20 golfers there is a fairly even split between Americans and Europeans – but the number of Major victories is weighted heavily in favour of the former. Will this ability to take major silverware – or claret – back to their trophy cabinets prove to be decisive for the USA at the 38th Ryder Cup.

Europe have overcome the odds stacked against them in the rankings and major titles to win six of the last eight tournaments since 1995, due to an incredible bond and sense of camaraderie.

The captain this time around in Newport is a perfect example who will hope to sprinkle some of his Ryder Cup magic on his team. Despite failing to never hold his nerve at the Majors, when representing Europe he has never lost a singles match and sank the winning putt at Oakland Hills in the 2004 event.

Likewise, Westwood has been a key player in five winning Ryder Cup sides and Montgomery will look to him to lead Europe at Celtic Manor in spite of never winning a major.

The Ryder Cup has brought the best out of Europeans while the Americans seem unable to contend with the various egos and fail to fuse a strong team ethos.

Ian Poulter showed glimpses of his class at the Masters before falling away, and with Rory McIlroy becoming the youngest winner on the US tour since Tiger Woods who still has question marks hanging over his game, the stage is set for Europe to reclaim the title they lost two years ago – even though the individuals have failed snatch the Majors.