GULLANE, Scotland — To term British sport as flush with pride at the moment is an understatement akin to calling Ian Poulter’s plaid pants loud.
With Lee Westwood leading Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan by two strokes at the British Open entering today’s final round, British sports perhaps never have been in a more favorable place than the last year.
The nation still is buzzing from Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory — the first Brit to capture the prestigious tennis title since Fred Perry in 1936.
Englishman Justin Rose last month broke through with his first major championship victory at the U.S. Open.
English cyclist Chris Froome has a large enough lead in the Tour de France, ending today, he has time to stop on the Champs-Elysees for a cup of tea before he brings the title home to Great Britain.
And, of course, London still has its chest puffed in pride for its successful hosting of the Summer Olympics, which netted the city a reported $1 billion in profits.
What else in sports can go right for the Brits?
Westwood hoisting the Claret Jug on the 18th green at Muirfield might send this proud sporting nation into a party that would last the rest of the summer.
Westwood, 3-under after shooting 70 yesterday, enters today’s final round in the lead. Woods and Mahan (both 1-under) follow with reigning Masters champion and 2012 British Open runner-up Adam Scott (even par) close behind.
Still very much in contention are two-time major winner Angel Cabrera, seeking the third leg of a career Grand Slam, former Masters winner Zach Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Ryan Moore — all 1-over and just four shots off the lead.
Phil Mickelson, who shot a disappointing 74 yesterday, is on the cusp of contention at 2-over.
This, however, is as much Westwood’s to win or lose as any of the 62 majors in which he has played.
“Hopefully I can give it,’’ Westwood said of delivering more British sporting glory and becoming the first Englishman to win the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992 at Muirfield. “But the pressure comes from the expectation I put on myself. I don’t really live my life outside-in. I don’t live it and run it according to what other people think. I live it the other way around. So I have my own ideas and my own dreams and my own plans.’’
The 40-year-old Worksop, England-born Westwood, a likeable chap with a brilliantly dry sense of humor, is as due to win a major as any player who has stepped to the first tee at this 142nd Open Championship.
In his 61 majors, Westwood has finished in the top three seven times (two runners-up), in the top five nine times and in the top 10 15 times. He has finished in the top 10 in eight of the past 17 majors in which he has played and has suffered some heartbreak along the way.
“I’ve had lots of chances,’’ Westwood said. “Sometimes I’ve played well, other times I’ve played not too well. Even though I haven’t won a major, I know what it takes to win one. It’s just a case of going out there and having the confidence in my game, which I’ve got, and putting it to the test.’’
Westwood, playing in front of his parents and son this week, will be paired in the final group with Mahan, whose 68 yesterday placed him in the final group for the second consecutive major with a chance to win the first of his career.
“I’ll think about winning the Open Championship at some stage, I’m sure,’’ Westwood said. “I don’t see anything wrong with that — picturing yourself holding the Claret Jug at the final [green] and seeing your name at the top of the leaderboard.
“You try and picture yourself winning the Open Championship tonight, but forget about it tomorrow and go and tee off down the first, focus on it in the middle of the fairway with the first tee shot and then go from there.’’
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com