It was just two years ago that Geoff Ogilvy was hoisting the US Open trophy, but the Australian isn't surprised that the list of favourites for the 108th Open seems to stop at two: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
"It seems if Tiger or Phil doesn't win, everyone thinks the guy who wins is an unknown," Ogilvy said.
He admitted however that the pair have even more going for them this week than usual, thanks to a long history of success on the Torrey Pines South Course that is hosting the Open for the first time.
"Tiger and Phil are going to be outstanding favourites around here," Ogilvy admitted. "Phil is playing well and Tiger never plays bad."
Ogilvy himself isn't playing too badly either. The world No.5 has top-10 finishes in his past two starts.
And he said his 2006 triumph at Winged Foot gives him that extra level of comfort going into the second major championship of the year.
"I don't think you realistically feel like a contender before you win one," he said. "You'd like to think you will be, but I don't know if you really believe you are.
"I'm more comfortable than I was. The first time you walk on the range at a major, it's an intimidating feeling," he added.
"It's a gradual process of getting more comfortable and some guys seem to get it quicker than others. Now I'm here to win."
