Singh confident that it is his turn for Major

The tall Fijian has been the hottest player in the game over the last 12 months and is determined to go one better than his tie for second in last year's Open championship at Royal St George's.

"I'm feeling pretty good," the 41-year-old told reporters on Wednesday as he prepared for Thursday's opening round.

"I've probably had one practice round but I've played here before so I'm pretty familiar with the course."

Singh tied for 38th when the Open was last staged at Troon in 1997, and was 23rd at the Troon championship of 1989.

Since tying for sixth at the U.S. Masters in April, Singh has won the Houston Open and the HP Classic of New Orleans on the PGA Tour.

However, that last victory came in the first week of May and the world number three feels he is now ready for another.

"Those wins were early in the year, but I'm due for another one," he said. "I feel like I'm playing good enough.

"I just need to get the putter working a little bit. I've had a few lessons from a few guys and hopefully it will all be in tune when I start tomorrow."

Singh, who ended Tiger Woods's four-year reign as the PGA Tour's leading money-winner in 2003, knows he threw away a golden opportunity to win last year's British Open.

He was in a good position to triumph at Royal St George's when tied for the lead with 10 holes to play but he bogeyed 10 and 13 on his way to a closing 70.

That left him tied for second, one stroke adrift of winner Ben Curtis.

"I was disappointed I didn't pull it out," he said. "In the middle of the round, I was in great shape but I let it loose there towards the end.

"When you get in there with a chance, you've got to take it. I haven't been able to do that.

"But this is another year and I feel I'm playing better than I did last year. If I can just believe in myself and go out there, I'll be okay."

Singh, U.S. PGA champion in 1998 and U.S. Masters winner in 2000, is scheduled to tee off at 1309 GMT in the opening round, accompanied by American David Toms and Briton Ian Spencer.

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