Taking Aim
Geoff Ogilvy is a man on a mission. The 2006 US Open champion is without a win in over two years and has, at the time of press, yet to receive an invitation to the Masters Tournament in April. Ranked outside the top 50 in the world (the magic number that would get him a berth at Augusta) for the first time since before that memorable afternoon at Winged Foot where he outlasted both Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie, Ogilvy and his young family have moved back to Arizona for the good of his game.
The tall Australian says he isn't unduly worried about his recent form – he only missed two cuts in 2012 – but in leaving California for Scottsdale and Whisper Rock Golf Club, a favoured haunt for many PGA Tour pros, the outspoken Ogilvy, who started his own course design business with the respected architect Michael Clayton in 2010, is looking to scale the same kind heights that earned him not just a Major but also three World Golf Championship (WGC) titles.
Statistically, it’s difficult to assess why 2012 was not as successful for you in comparison to past years. Have you been able to pinpoint anything in particular?
I played well enough physically to do quite well. I only missed a couple of cuts, I played well at The Open [tied for 9th] and featured at the PGA Championship [tied 11th], but I was always just two or three shots away. It was always like that. I just think that maybe I’ve been practicing too much at home and not playing enough holes. Every day I walked off, I thought I’d probably played better than the score I had that day. Not a lot, but it’s a pretty fine line between finishing 10th, 15th, 20th and winning tournaments.
It doesn’t really show up in the stats but when you’re playing your best, even when you hit a bad shot, you manage to hit it to where it’s an easy par. You might hit it 15 feet right of the pin as opposed to pulling it into a bunker and not getting it up and down. That’s not going to show up in the stats.
You don’t fix that with more time on the range, you fix that playing more holes. Whether that’s at home with friends or tournament holes, I probably haven’t been doing enough of that. All I’ve been doing the past few weeks is play rounds of golf so hopefully it works. We’ll see.
Photography by AFP
Click here to see the published article.
It has taken over two decades for the US Open to return to the East Course at Merion, one of the most historic clubs in America. But as Paul Prendergast explains, the wait will be more than worth it.
Dale Concannon recounts the remarkable history of Ben Hogan's 1950 US Open win, arguably the most courageous comeback the game has ever seen.
We're sure to see plenty of memorable shots hit at Merion this month, but will any go down in golfing lore? Charlie Schroeder highlights some of the most famous moments in US Open history – and reveals the clubs that were used to make them happen
Colin Montgomerie, heroic Ryder Cup player, eight-time European Order of Merit champion and recent Hall of Fame inductee, famously never won a major – although he did come agonisingly close on four occasions at the US Open
Alex Jenkins sits down with world number eight Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, for an exclusive interview at the recent Ballantine's Championship in Korea
In this new column covering the European Tour, internationally-recognised golf commentator Julian Tutt talks us through his mini-Asian swing through Korea and China
Reigning Hong Kong Open champion Miguel Angel Jiménez is back in action on the European Tour after recovering from breaking his leg in a skiing accident in December, although the popular Spaniard missed the cut at the Open de Espana, his comeback event.
From customizable balls to adjustable drivers and funky grips, Charlie Schroeder picks 10 of his favourite new releases
Lewine Mair talks to two-time Women's British Open champion Jiyai Shin about the different approaches players from Asia and their counterparts in Europe and the US take to the game
The play of Guan Tian-lang, the Chinese 14-year-old amateur, at The Masters was truly sensational, but here's hoping he follows the advice of his mentors and focuses on his long term goals
