GOLF/British Open countdown: Having won one already, Mike Weir now feels less pressure during a major week, writes Philip Reid.

For a time, maybe 20 or 30 seconds that must have seemed longer, the man with the tan baseball cap turned one way and then the other in the car-park that lies a mere wedge shot away from the grandstand behind the 18th green. "Ah, I'm going the wrong way," murmured Mike Weir, before settling on the right direction.

When he's on the actual golf course, at least, there is no such hesitancy. Weir, the Canadian who once wrote to Jack Nicklaus wondering if he should switch to playing golf right-handed, has spent much of this year doing everything right. He won the US Masters and finished third in the US Open and has moved to number three in the world rankings. These days, Weir is very much a major player.

Yet, of all the majors, the British Open is the one that has teased and tormented Weir more than any other. This is his fifth, and the other four have proved anything but rewarding. On his debut at Carnoustie in 1999, he finished tied-37th and that remains his best performance. He was tied-52nd at St Andrews, missed the cut at Royal Lytham & St Annes and was tied-69th at Muirfield a year ago.

So, what does it all mean? Does it suggest that Weir can't handle links golf, with its weird kicks and nasty bounces? It shouldn't. Weir's low ball flight should suit links golf and, in the past, his poor performances probably had more to do with his expectations.

"My confidence level is probably higher than what it has been coming in here in the past," he conceded. "But, at the same time, it is different golf than we play on the regular US Tour week to week . . . there's adjustments to be made, and hopefully the small adjustments that I make will continue the good play I've been doing the past few months."

Weir's expectations heading into a major have changed, as you'd expect after his win in Augusta. "It's just getting comfortable with your game and feeling good and ready to go on the Thursday, that you've got everything done that you need to get done. I kind of found a good formula the week of Augusta. I feel I know how to prepare better than I did in the past," he said.

As a major winner, a Masters champion, Weir now feels less pressure, not more, going into championships.

"I've done it before, and know how to handle it. Granted, this is a different type of tournament than Augusta, with different conditions, but pressure is pressure and you've got to be able to handle those situations. And since I've been able to do that, it gives me a comfort level. When those situations pop up, hopefully I can handle them."

This is indeed a changed man from the one who finished 13 shots behind Ernie Els at Muirfield a year ago. Much changed.

"I felt I wasn't that far off last year," insisted Weir, "but, overall, it wasn't very good. The main thing that was holding me back was my shots from inside 120 yards and my putting wasn't very good . . . now it is, and I just want to keep playing well and just keep building on what is happening."

There is no apprehension for Weir as he prepares to continue a major title challenge that is better than anyone's this year.

"The putter is going to be important this week . . if you're not holing putts, you're not going to be there come the weekend. Putting's the biggest thing.

"But, then, you're not going to hit every green. This golf course has some quirky things and you're going to have to get the ball up-and-down and you're going to have to convert the putts for pars a lot of the time."

Unlike his previous appearances to British Opens, Weir has a swagger in his step that belongs to a man full of confidence. The challenge to produce his best on the biggest stages goes on.

"I love the course," he said.

That's always a good start.