PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Lee Westwood fondly recalls the first time girlfriend Helen Storey caddied for him at a professional tournament, during the 2018 Made in Denmark.

Westwood took out a healthy chunk of turf on one of his first swings. Storey dutifully picked up that slab of grass to fill the divot mark.

"She's walking back with the divot like this," Westwood said, holding his palm out tentatively and away from his body to demonstrate.

Westwood asked her what was wrong.

"She said, 'I hope there's not a worm in this.'"

Westwood smiled thinking back on the beginnings of their working relationship, one that's paying off big time yet again at this week's British Open at Royal Portrush.

The 46-year-old Westwood was T-3 at 7 under entering the weekend and just one shot off the lead as he tries to become the oldest first-time major winner in golf history.

"Obviously I get on well with Helen," Westwood said with a laugh. "She doesn't know too much about golf but she knows a lot about the way my mind works. So she keeps me in a good frame of mind and focusing on the right things at the right time. There's more to caddying than carrying and getting the wind direction."

HISTORY:Woods, Mickelson miss cut in same major for first time ever

OPINION:Is Tiger missing the cut at majors the new norm?

GOLFWEEK:News and features from the British Open

Storey began caddying regularly for Westwood after he split with long-time bag man Billy Foster last fall. Shortly after, Westwood earned his first European Tour win since 2014 at the Nedbank Challenge with Storey at his side.

She's also a fitness enthusiast and quite an athlete judging by several Instagram posts Westwood has shared.

The two began dating after Westwood and his wife of 16 years, Laurae Coltart, separated in 2015.

This is the first major Storey has worked so far, and while she isn't getting too involved on the technical side, that doesn't mean she's got an easy job. It's even harder in wet conditions with all the added weight due to rain gear, umbrella, etc.

"It's no easy feat carrying that golf bag around," Westwood said. "Especially in this weather, because it's fully loaded up. I don't give her an easy break or anything like that. It's got everything in it."

But there is one long-standing British Open tradition making things a little easier on Storey this week.

"She's delighted because they've got their own rakers," Westwood said. "She doesn't have to rake the bunkers."