Birkdale fan Furyk in upbeat mood

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - A decade after coming close to winning the British Open at Royal Birkdale, Jim Furyk has set his sights on clinching the title for the first time in this week's edition of the world's oldest major.

The straight-hitting American, who tied for fourth place in 1998 two strokes behind the triumphant Mark O'Meara, believes his game is ideally sited to the par-70 layout.

"I like the style of the golf course," Furyk told reporters at a breezy and overcast Birkdale on Monday.

"I think you have to work the ball here even more so than most links golf courses. It's not a bomber's paradise.

"The fairways are tight and you have to challenge some of the bunkers. You have to work the ball and get it around, much different than say St. Andrews and places that stereotypically wouldn't be where you'd probably pick me to do well at."

Furyk, whose only major victory came in the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, has bitter-sweet memories of Birkdale in 1998.

"I had a real good opportunity to win this tournament and I was very disappointed in the finish, just down the stretch," the world number 12 said.

"I felt like I hit some good shots and didn't knock in some putts. I made a mistake or two and I ended up losing by two.

"Early in my career, that was probably the best opportunity I had to win a major championship. I remember it well and some good memories but also it was a major disappointment at the time."

MISSED CUTS

Furyk, a 13-times winner on the PGA Tour, has posted four top-10 finishes in 12 appearances at the British Open where he surprisingly missed five consecutive cuts between 2001 and 2005.

Known for his accuracy and unorthodox swing, he said his slump had been due to his bid to play better golf on the 'target' layouts of the PGA Tour.

"When I first came on Tour, I hit the ball pretty low and I was very comfortable in the wind, flighting the ball and hitting it down," the 38-year-old added.

"A bunch of my early wins were in Hawaii in tough conditions. So I didn't mind that style of golf and I adapted over here pretty quickly. I finished fourth in my second British Open.

"Then in order to compete in the Unites States week-in and week-out and have an opportunity to win at more courses, I changed my game.

"I changed my equipment and worked on hitting the ball higher, spinning it more and being able to attack more of our newer style of golf courses back in the States. When I tried to come back (to the British Open), I had a hard time adapting.

"A good player should be able to play in all conditions and adapt his game and style the way you need to play. I didn't do a good job of it."

After his run of five missed cuts, Furyk re-dedicated himself to links course golf for the 2006 Open championship at Hoylake, where he finished fourth.

Back at Birkdale where he has a high comfort level, he is among the leading contenders for this week's title.

(Editing by Miles Evans)