Westwood can make it hat-trick of winners

Renowned Rotherham coach Pete Cowen has already seen McDowell and Oosthuizen storm to US Open and Open glory respectively over the last month.

But for him to bow out of the sport next summer as a happy man, he wants his most high-profile student to make that overdue major breakthrough.

Westwood has finished second in two of the three majors this season, and in the top three in four of the last five, and heads to the US PGA at Whistling Straits next month in the form of his life.

Much of his recent success has been attributed to his return to Cowen's tutelage, and after seeing two of his more unheralded proteges claim the big prizes this summer, he believes it could be Westwood's turn next.

"The door will open for him one day and when it does he will burst through it," said Cowen, who has 21 players in his stable including Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia, and Yorkshire duo Simon Dyson and Richard Finch.

"He's the best player in the world right now and as you could see on Sunday he was disappointed to have let another chance pass him by.

"When he gets one though, he'll add two or three more.

"This has been a fantastic summer for me, I've just got to make sure that Lee gets the major win he deserves now."

The last month has been the undoubted highlight of Cowen's career.

Since becoming a full-time European Tour coach in 1997 he has been a regular producer of Ryder Cup players, but major winners had proved elusive.

Now that he is coach to world golf's newest stars, Cowen has become the hottest property on the range, but he is set to shun the increase in interest in favour of the quiet life.

"Louis's win will make me a bit busier in the short term but I'm not taking on any more players," he said. "My books are closed – there's no room. I'm 60 next year, I can't travel the world forever.

"Other coaches will come along and reap the benefits of what myself and my team have done over the years."