U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy is in upbeat mood but has no idea what to expect at this week's Tour Championship after taking a nine-week break for the birth of his first child.

The 29-year-old Australian has not played since tying for 36th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in late August.

"It's been really nice having a bit of a break," Ogilvy told reporters as he prepared for Thursday's opening round in the PGA Tour's season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club.

"It seems like my game is okay, but it's hard to tell. You're going to have to make the putts and stuff.

"It's hard to know if you haven't done it for two months. But all the pieces are there. Hopefully I can just put them together."

Ogilvy, who won his first major title by a stroke at Winged Foot in June after benefiting from late collapses by Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie, has relished his breakthrough year on the PGA Tour.

"It's been good," he said. "I've been getting better all the way. I started out pretty good at the Match Play and the U.S. Open was pretty much fun."

Long regarded as a high-quality player by his peers, Ogilvy pulled off a surprise victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, beating American Davis Love III 3&2 in the final.

"And then the best part, we had a baby girl about three weeks ago, which is very exciting," he added, referring to the birth of daughter Phoebe.

"If I'm not the sharpest I've been all year, it's because of that," Ogilvy said. "But I'm excited to play."

The big-hitting Australian is scheduled to tee off with compatriot Adam Scott at 1250 local time (1750 GMT) in the first round.

The limited-field event features the top 30 money winners on the PGA Tour.