After Competing in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club last September, Tom Lehman had his first look at Royal Troon. The wind was out of the north west at the time, just like yesterday when he completed his preparations for the defence of his British Open title.

The trip reflected a determination to hold on to his most prized possession. "I've looked at the trophy every day that I've been at home during the last year," he said of the famous old claret jug. "And it's been a wonderful year in which people have given me a lot of respect for my golf game."

He went on: "The jug has been through a few scrapes, but I'm sure no more than with any other winner. For instance, my kids got a hold of it when I was out of town one week and accidentally bent it. But it was fixable.

"Then there was the situation a few weeks ago when I was playing in a tournament in Minneapolis. We had dinner which went on until one in the morning and Alysia Herron (sister of tour player Tim Herron) was given the trophy to take home with her. But the owner of a place we call the Brit's Pub saw her and called the police.

"He thought she'd stolen it, so he came out and grabbed her. Eventually they called me at 2.0 in the morning and said: `We have somebody here with the British Open trophy.' When they described her, I knew it was Alysia. The upshot was that the police and the TV people all got their picture taken with the trophy."

At other times, when he was away from home, the very thought of the old jug "made all the other stuff worth it." Lehman explained: "When I was playing the mini-tours, there were a lot of times when I would think `What am I doing? Is it really worth busting you butt going all over the world?'

"Well, I discovered the answer. The answer is yes, it is worth it." Now, however, he has had to hand back the trophy so that a jeweller can inscribe the name of this year's winner before the presentation ceremony on Sunday. And the 38-year-old American is hoping it will be simply a matter of copying the name from 1996.

It's not that he has become greedy. It's just that the breakthrough of 12 months ago has increased his confidence to the extent that winning has become a way of life - as in his triumph in the Loch Lomond Invitational last Saturday.

The truth is that Lehman has remained a most likeable, modest man. Asked about his success, he replied with boyish enthusiasm: "Oh gosh, I guess if I had to be realistic, I probably didn't think I could ever accomplish what I have. I didn't really contemplate being good enough to win a major and become player of the year."

As it happened, he had more than one player of the year award bestowed on him. There was the USPGA Tour version; another from the PGA of America, another from the US golf writers and similar recognition from two major magazines.

Five years ago, Lehman had less than $3,000 in his bank account. Now, he earns more than $2 million per year in sponsorship deals with Taylor Made, Levi Strauss, Titleist, Northwest Airlines and Norstan Communications.

It seemed highly appropriate to ask another of golf's "good guys", Nick Price, for an assessment of the champion. "I've known Tom a long time and he's always had all the ingredients," said the 1994 British Open winner. "His is a great story, one of determination and hard work, a story that a lot of guys on tour can relate to."

Price went on: "Tom's just a wonderful guy, good for golf and so appreciative of what he has. It's a success story that you would want to read about."

Comparing Troon to the scene of last year's triumph, Lehman said: "I think this is more difficult. The fairways are much narrower - only about 18 paces in places - which means you're fighting to stay out of the bunkers. I felt I could get away with a lot more at Lytham."

He continued: "Then there is the wind. I know you can make the wind your friend, but I hate letting it control the flight of the ball. And the 10 holes from the ninth to the finish will really test your shot-making ability."

Was he conscious of additional pressure? "No," he replied. "In fact, there's less than last year. I'm only aware of the pressure to play well and do myself justice."

Asked how he would like to be remembered, he said: "I don't want to be remembered as a great golfer, but rather for being the kind of person I am. Being respected and liked and supported means a great deal to me."

The ultimate endorsement came on the eve of the championship from Jack Nicklaus who said: "Tom is a wonderful person as well as a wonderful player. A very solid citizen."