A good time to start playing well - Westwood.

Byline: MARK GARROD

LEE WESTWOOD is determined to use his latest near-miss as a springboard to greater things - hopefully, of course, at next week's Open Championship.

The Ryder Cup star still has not won since the British Masters in September 2007, but he could not have gone closer or played much better on the final day of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris yesterday.

A joint best-of-the-day 65 put Westwood into a play-off with Martin Kaymer, but the rising German star won it with a par at the first extra hole.

It might so easily have gone the other way, though.

"Martin's ball has carried the water by a foot and mine must have gone in by a foot," said the former European number one, who has now suffered three play-off defeats since his last success. He was pushed into second by Kaymer in Abu Dhabi 18 months ago and was only one shot away from last year's US Open play-off between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.

"That's the chance you take in play-offs. You can't judge the week by that and I certainly can't be disappointed by anything after the way I played.

"It is a good time to start playing well. There are massive tournaments at this time of year - we have two huge weeks coming up (the Scottish Open followed by the Open), then a couple of weeks off and then two big ones in America as well.

"I played well at this time of year last year and it looks like I am going to be able to do that again, so hopefully I can get a win soon."

Kaymer, 24, is now back in the world's top 20 with his third Tour victory.

He closed with a 68 to match Westwood's 13-under-par total and they finished three clear of third-placed Ian Poulter.

Kaymer, who began the week with a course record-equalling 62, said he "definitely" considers himself ready to win a major.

"I really feel that this week is similar to a major," he stated.

"It's a big event, great field, lots of money and world ranking points. If you can win here you can do well in the Open too."

Poulter, meanwhile, has rarely been angrier than he was as he left Paris last night - and adamant that he will not be playing the French Open next year.

Poulter's third place has further boosted his confidence ahead of The Open, but last year's runner-up at Royal Birkdale was told "try not to swear" before he gave a television interview afterwards.

"You had better tape it then," said the 33-year-old, not sure he would be able to contain his fury about the press photographer whom he blamed for the trip to the water that cost him his chance of winning.

Poulter made the fatal error of pushing his approach to the 15th, but explained at the end of his round: "A novice cameraman fired three shots on the way down.

"You saw how frustrated I was. It's a tournament I want to come and win and you have some stupid cameraman that makes it difficult for you.

"I suppose you could say that if you concentrate 110% then you shouldn't hear it, but he was 25 yards away.

"It's a shame because it's a good tournament, but I won't be back next year.

"That's what happens when you let novice people come in and ruin our livelihoods. We are playing for world ranking points and I want to move up as high as I can."

CAPTION(S):

CHAMP: Martin Kaymer of Germany holds the trophy after winning the French Open