Westwood - chasing Major win.

Lee Westwood hopes a return to coach Pete Cowen can help him end Europe's six-year barren run in the majors.

After a first round 68 in the USPGA Championship on Thursday, Westwood was right on the heels of the leaders and said: "If I continue working the way I am you have to believe that one day it will all go right for you."

The Ryder Cup star turned to David Leadbetter for help when he slumped outside the world's top 250 three years ago.

He got back to 24th at the end of last season, but has slipped down again to 39th and called on Cowen.

"It wasn't that I wasn't enjoying working with David, but it was just the fact that he is based in Florida and I am based in England," stated Westwood.

"I was finding it difficult to see him at the right times. He was at the bigger tournaments, but the bigger tournaments are not where I want to work on my game.

"I know that Pete is one of the best coaches in the game and it has clicked into place as quickly as it did the first time round.

"We have a few good ideas and I have been able to take them onto the golf course."

Westwood was also one off the lead after the opening day of the US Open in June, but fell back to 33rd with a closing 79 then.

Asked what he took from being in contention there, though, he said: "That I am still good enough to win tournaments when the best players in the world are there."

The former European number one has split his time between America and Europe this year, but is still working out how best to complete his 15-event quota in the States.

It may mean not playing next month in the Seve Trophy in County Durham, an event he is now set to qualify for because of stablemate Darren Clarke's decision not to play.

Clarke has denied, though, that his decision not to represent Britain and Ireland against Continental Europe has anything to do with Colin Montgomerie being captain.

The Ulsterman last night rejected a tabloid newspaper story that he was taking the week off because of Montgomerie's "wrong drop" controversy in Indonesia this year.

"The reason I am not playing is purely a scheduling issue," he said. He is out in Asia for two weeks just before and then has the dunhill links in Scotland and two events in America.

"I have got to spend a bit of time with Heather and the kids," he added. His wife has been battling cancer.

"There is not a rift between me and Colin at all. I have to play in certain tournaments in the world and it's one of those unfortunate things."

Clarke, like Montgomerie, is on the European Tour's tournament committee.

In May the committee said it was not happy with the way the seven-time European number one handled the incident in Jakarta, but Clarke stated: "I have my personal opinions, but the matter is over and dealt with.

"In no way is it a reflection of why I am not playing. I have no problem playing for Monty - it was discussed and it's closed. It just keeps rearing its ugly head."

Ian Poulter and Luke Donald are, like Westwood, not yet certain to play, while Jose Maria Olazabal could be without Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer.