The Golf News Net

Geoff Ogilvy carded a bogey free, six-under 67 in the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship to take a one stroke lead over former winner Ernie Els, Kenny Perry, and Johnson Wagner.

Ogilvy won his first Australian PGA Championship in December in his native land.  Having played in that event and the rest of the Australian Triple Crown kept him loose going into this week's event.

"I was playing well before Christmas, so it's not amazingly surprising I'm playing well now," Ogilvy said.  "I haven't shot very many good rounds around this course, so maybe that's a surprise thing. But the fact that I'm playing okay is not surprising, I don't think."

The combination of the good play in December and the rest over the Christmas holiday afforded Ogilvy a relaxing start to 2009.  It also did not hurt to start the year in Hawaii, in a limited field event with no cut.

"There's definitely a dimension here that allows to you relax for some reason. Maybe it's the short field and wide fairways and first week of the year and everybody makes a check."

Ogilvy had not played well in his previous appearances at Kapalua, but found the greens easier with experience.

"There are some frightening greens when you first come. I guess a bit of experience allows you to have the imagination you need."