Ogilvy chasing Aussie dream

Geoff Ogilvy is hungry for success in the Australian Open when he tees it up in Sydney on Thursday.

US Open champion seeks first home crown

Geoff Ogilvy is hungry for success in the Australian Open when he tees it up in Sydney on Thursday. The former US Open champion has yet to record victory in the biggest tournament in his homeland, but is determined to put that right at the Australian Golf Club this week. Ogilvy is the highest ranked Aussie in the field in the absence of world number seven Adam Scott and admits he has been targeting the event for some time. "I truly think about the Australian Open all year," Ogilvy said. "I'll be playing big events in the US but all year it's in the back your mind that you're going to come back here. "Maybe I'll try too hard sometimes when I come back here. It's pretty high on the priorities list to win here." Two time champions Aaron Baddeley and Peter Lonard form part of the strong Australian contingent, and former comes into the event on the back of a play-off victory in last month's Australian Masters. "This is definitely an event I focus on because I've made it known that I want to beat Gary Player's record of seven (titles)," he said. Other top Australians likely to contend are Stuart Appleby, Nick O'Hern and Rodney Pampling, while Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore head a small American contingent.