The 37-year-old golfer is touched by the welcome he receives from British crowds and admitted the harsh weather conditions he has often found himself playing in have only served to improve his game.

He explained to Golf Monthly magazine: “I know Im very fortunate to be treated by most people here like one of their own.

“And I think playing a good amount of golf in Great Britain has definitely made me a much better bad-weather golfer.

“In the States, when the weather is bad, we’re usually talking about lightning so we can’t play.

“But you rarely get lightning in th UK, so you have to play on in the rain, the wind and the cold, and it definitely toughens you up.

“If you don’t have the fortitude to play in those conditions, you’re going to get found out.

“I’ve played several Dunhills and quite a few Opens now and there always seems to be at least one bad day, weather-wise. Often more than one!

“So you have to figure out a way to shoot a number, because the guys who encounter those conditions regularly are sure as hell going to deal with them better than most.”

Billy is thinking of buying a house in the UK one day and admitted one reason for doing so would be to see his beloved West Ham United in action.

He said: “I’ve talked about following Rory (McIlroy)’s example and buying or building a home here.

“And when my kids are old enough to have finished school, that is a very real option.

“It would also give me a chance to go and see my favourite football team, West Ham, more often.”