LEE WESTWOOD is determined not to pile pressure on himself as he begins his countdown to the British Open this week.

Beaten by a single shot in the US Open two weeks ago, a lot will now be expected of the former European number one at Royal Birkdale - especially with Tiger Woods absent.

But on the eve of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris Westwood said: "I went to the US Open without any expectations and I think that's the way I need to approach them.

"I had hardly hit any balls going into it and I wasn't feeling great.

"I came very close and didn't feel that I lost it - I think Tiger and Rocco (Mediate) played very well to finish one ahead of me."

The 35-year-old was able to reflect on his best-ever finish in a major - and being paired with Woods did not seem to affect him as much as it has others.

"I think that's because I have been in that situation before," he added. "I have played with Tiger so many times in Ryder Cups and majors and World Golf Championships, so I know what to expect."

Westwood will miss next week's European Open at The London Club in Kent, but will be at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond before turning his full attention to Birkdale.

Robert Karlsson, eighth in the Masters and fourth in the US Open, has made a late decision to play this week. "I've had a sore throat and stuff and decided only yesterday," said the Swede.

With a massive first prize of almost €528,000 the event will also be a battle for top spot on the Order of Merit with current top four - Miguel Angel Jimenez, Karlsson, Westwood and Oliver Wilson all in the field.

There are also two places in the British Open up for grabs off a mini-money list which has been running for a month. Australian Scott Strange, winner of the Wales Open, and Chile's Felipe Aguilar are in position to take them, but Irish Ryder Cup pair Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley could avoid next Monday's 36-hole qualifier at Sunningdale with a top-three finish on Sunday. Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy and Rory McIlroy complete the Irish presence.

In the US, Mediate returns to the PGA Tour for the first time since the US Open when he headlines the field for the Buick Open at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Michigan. Justin Leonard (the 1996 champion), Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk (the 2003 champion) are among the main contenders this week.