Geoff Ogilvy says Tiger Woods returning to his best

Ahead of next week's British Open, the last Australian to win a major following his US Open triumph in 2006 said few would be surprised to see Woods repeatedly back on the winners this season or next.

"Physically, when you watch him play and the way he carries himself on the golf course he does look the intimidating presence, if you like, he always did," Ogilvy said today.

"He looks very impressive. He looks like the old Tiger Woods."

Ogilvy said while Woods' swing is a little different from the past and he is more unpredictable, he is still one of the sport's greats.

"Wow, he's pretty close to the best player in the world at the moment," Ogilvy said.

The Australian said he was feeling the physical and mental benefits of a mid-season "reset"  and "decompression" he hopes will launch him to success for the second half of 2012, starting with next week's Open.

"I'm feeling really good. You never really know in golf but there is no reason I can't play really well next week. My golf is in a pretty good spot," he said.

Ogilvy said he would head into the British Open with confidence and his body feeling strong after a month in the gym.

"I have always played well after a break," said Ogilvy, who admitted he was weary at the end of 2011 due to a heavy schedule to compensate for time lost to injury and illness earlier in the season.

Ogilvy will play links courses from Saturday to top off his preparations, but dismissed there was extra pressure on him heading into the tournament as the last Australian to win a major.

"I almost want to win one more than (I did) before I won, because I know how good it feels," he said of his historic win six years ago.

"The pressure I feel is self inflicted."

Ogilvy is one of 13 Australians slated for the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne's from July 15-22.

Other Australians in the field are Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Nick Cullen, Jason Day, Marcus Fraser, Ashley Hall, Brendan Jones, Brad Kennedy, Adam Scott, John Senden and Aaron Townsend