Ogilvy sets into the British mode now

US Open winner soaking up life as a Major champion, despite being overshadowed by soccer8217;s World Cup

Geoff Ogilvy has been spending more time at the practice range. Not because he8217;s altering his swing or breaking in a new club. It just takes a lot longer to get around when you8217;re a major champion.

8220;I have a hard time getting anywhere,8221; said Ogilvy, still savouring his stunning victory at the US Open last month. 8220;It8217;s been a lot of congratulations and well dones and all that. Walking across the range takes a while because you have to see everyone. It8217;s been fun.8221;

The Aussie hasn8217;t played in a tournament since Winged Foot, where he emerged with his first major title under the most unlikely of circumstances: Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie both took double bogeys on the 72nd hole when par would have been good enough to give either of them the championship.

The stunning finish 8211; especially by Mickelson, who moaned 8220;I am such an idiot8221; 8211; took some of the lustre off Ogilvy8217;s gutty play down the stretch. He chipped in for par at the 17th, then got up and down for another par at 18 after his approach shot from a divot rolled back off the front of the green.

After sinking a testy 6-foot putt, he headed off to the scoring hut and watched the meltdowns by both Lefty and Monty. 8220;You8217;d obviously love to win it by five shots and come up to the last and know you8217;ve won it and all that,8221; Ogilvy said Tuesday. 8220;I definitely got a big break on the last hole with Monty and Phil. It doesn8217;t happen to everybody. It usually doesn8217;t happen. But I played 72 holes in less shots than anyone else, and I won the trophy.8221;

Ogilvy had already planned to take some time off after the US Open, which turned into an extended celebration Down Under. The premier of Victoria feted him with a party. So did his home club.

Then again, Ogilvy8217;s triumph 8211; he became the first Australian to win a major since 1995 8211; was a bit overshadowed by soccer8217;s World Cup, especially when the Socceroos reached the second round for the first time ever the day after he arrived home. 8220;In 24 hours, it was all about soccer again, not the golf,8221; said Ogilvy, who savoured the chance to slide quickly out of the spotlight. 8220;I got lucky in that respect, I guess.8221;

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Arriving at Royal Liverpool, he was hardly the star attraction, either. Woods, Montgomerie and Phil Mickelson drew much of the attention during the practice rounds, while Ogilvy didn8217;t even stand out in his own group Monday. Fellow Aussie Adam Scott was swamped by autograph seekers, while Ogilvy had only a handful of people approaching him with pins and paper. 8220;Who was that?8221; one woman asked after her companion got Ogilvy8217;s signature. 8220;That8217;s the guy who won the US Open,8221; he replied.

Actually, Ogilvy always figured the US Open would be the last of the four majors he8217;d have any chance of winning. Growing up, he got plenty of experience on links courses, so he thought the British would be his best chance for a breakthrough.

8220;This is the one the Australians dream of winning,8221; he said. 8220;The British Open is the one for the worldwide players, and the US Open is the magic one for the US Open. If I was asked to prioritise, this would be No. 1.8221;

PAUL NEWBERRY