GEOFF OGILVY has again launched Australia’s golfing year off to a great start by winning the SBS Championship in Kapalau, Hawaii.
Ogilvy won the season opening title last year but this time around believes he can keep the good form going.
“I think I forced it too much (last year),” the Australian said after shooting a final round six-under-par 67 to storm home and seal a one-stroke victory over a fast-finishing Rory Sabbatini.
Ogilvy went on to win the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship in February last year but his efforts for the rest of 2009 were largely forgettable.
Apart from a respectable tie for 15th at the US Masters, he went missing in the big tournaments.
“I played so well here last year, and I played really well in the Match Play, played great at Houston (and) played alright at the Masters,” Ogilvy said.
“After that I think it goes awry. Before you know it, it’s the middle of the year and I am still struggling for two months, and I hit more balls and I chased it too hard as opposed to letting it come back.”
“I wasn’t happy with the way I was playing until after the Presidents Cup (in October).
“I had a moment of clarity when I played (Steve) Stricker in singles, (thinking) what are you trying so hard for? It’s a ball and there is a hole. Just hit it that way.”
Ogilvy has vowed to take a break this year if his game starts deteriorating, believing a cycling or surfing holiday is more likely to fix his game than grinding on the range.
“I think I’m a slow learner, but a pretty good learner. I think it’s taking me a long time to work stuff out that I probably should have worked out earlier, but at least I’m working it out.”
The PGA Tour will now head to Honolulu for the traditional first full field event of the season at the Waialae Country Club, where a number of new recruits, including the likes Australian’s Cameron Percy, will test their games at the highest level for the first time.
The SBS Championship is restricted to winners of the previous year’s PGA Tour events.