Most golfers hate spending time in the sand, but for one-time major winner Geoff Ogilvy, it’s proven to be the perfect tonic.

Ogilvy was in danger of burning out earlier this year after enduring a frustrating start to the season in which he missed the cut in nine of his 17 tournaments.

The 2006 US Open winner decided it was in his best interests to take a break, with the Australian promptly joining his family in San Diego for a beach holiday.

The sand and surf did wonders for Ogilvy, who went on to win the Barracuda Championship in Reno in just his second tournament back.

That triumph secured his PGA Tour card for next season, and his second-placed finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship shortly after ensured he booked a spot at next year’s Masters, US Open and British Open.

Ogilvy said his mid-year break was the key to helping him rediscover his mojo.

“Mentally I was ready to kind of write this year off. There’s no question that taking the time off in the middle of the year helped immensely,” Ogilvy said.

“I just got to go to the beach, play with the kids, surf – just normal chill-out stuff. Everything but golf.

“Then after about two and a half weeks I was pretty desperate to get back to playing. I missed it.

“I guess that’s the whole point – you’ve got to stop playing until you miss it.

“I was actually excited to get on an aeroplane and go play a tournament, which is an odd feeling.”

Ogilvy, fresh from another recent break, will be aiming to continue his strong finish to the year when he competes at this week’s $1.75 million Perth International, starting Thursday.

Standing in his way are fellow major winners Charl Schwartzel and Jason Dufner, as well as rising Frenchman Victor Dubuisson.

Ogilvy said it was hard to predict how well he will play this week.

“Golf is an odd game. If you think you’re going to play well, usually you don’t,” Ogilvy said.

“I’ve just got to wait and see what happens.”