I've gone from frustration to sickness, says Westwood

By Tony Jimenez

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - It was again a case of so near, yet so far for nearly-man Lee Westwood at the British Open on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Briton has won 18 times on the European Tour but despite going close on several occasions, including a runner-up finish at the French Open two weeks ago, he has failed to secure a victory in almost two years.

"I've gone from frustration to sickness," Westwood told reporters after a closing 71 gave him a one-under-par tally of 279, one stroke off the four-hole playoff which saw Stewart Cink defeat fellow American Tom Watson, 59.

The Englishman went similarly close in the 2008 U.S. Open, failing by one shot to make the playoff won by Tiger Woods against fellow American Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines.

"Both are pretty sickening but obviously this is the British Open and it's the one that means the most to me," he said.

A par-four at the 18th would have put Westwood in the playoff but, despite a stunning shot from a fairway bunker and a good first putt from 45 feet, a bogey five spelled anguish for the former European number one.

GREAT SHOT

"I hit a great shot out of the trap but didn't finish it off," he said. "The biggest disappointment is three-putting the last.