Lee Westwood’s wait for that illusive first Major Championship victory will now have to wait to next month’s PGA Championship following a third round 70 in the 141st Open Championship.

Westwood contested the third day alongside 62-year old Tom Watson.

However being in the company of the eight-time Major Champion failed to ignite Westwood and with the current World No. 3 dropping three shots in his first six holes before picking up four birdies from his seventh to 15th hole before dropping further shots at the 16th and 18th holes.

If left Westwood lying in a share of 62nd place at four over par and 14 shots shy of American Brandt Snedeker who was still come three hours away from teeing off.

However Westwood enjoyed the opportunity of playing alongside Watson.

“Tom and I talked lot,” said Westwood.

“I first played with Tom in Japan in 1996 in the Dunlop Phoenix.  Jumbo Ozaki was the third member of that group.  I’ve played in majors a lot with him most recently I think at the Masters when I saw Tom.

“Tom is very to play with. He’s a great ambassador for the sport.   Nice to watch, and nice playing alongside him.”

However Westwood was asked Watson offered any encouragment in Westwood’s Majors quest.

“No, we didn’t talk about that,” said Westwood.

This week is Westwood’s 58th Major appearance and he will now have to wait to the August 9th commencing PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in South Carolina before the chance of that much-awaited breakthrough victory.