Mathew Goggin isn’t out to win the US Open, he’s just trying not to lose it.

After a near three-year absence from major championship golf, Tasmanian Goggin returns to the biggest stage at Merion Golf Club via qualifying bent on keeping things laidback and stress-free.

Goggin says he learned from mistakes in his previous 11 majors that the key is to play within yourself and not get sucked into making mistakes.

“You always look at guys winning majors and you think they had to play at some new level or there is some new thing they had to do where in reality it’s the opposite,” Goggin said.

“It’s executing at your level and not forcing it and then hitting poor shots because you’re trying to do more than you need to do.

“That’s what Tiger Woods does the best. He makes guys hit shots or try to play higher than what they really need to.”

Goggin’s best finish at a major was a tie for fifth at the 2009 British Open, where he had a real chance at the claret jug heading into the back nine on Sunday only to bogey three of the last five holes to miss a playoff by two strokes.

The 38-year-old learned then he needs the ability to find the zen state in his golf and not get fazed by mistakes, particularly on a tough US Open layout.

“It happens to guys because they get out here and they think, I can’t miss a fairway, I’ve got to hit all the greens, and it’s putting adding pressure on yourself and giving yourself no chance to relax,” he said.

“It’s more of a let them lose the tournament, very few people are going to win a US Open, it’s just everyone else is going to lose it at some point.”

Currently on the secondary web.com tour and 14th on the money list, Goggin is well placed to return to the main tour for the new season starting in October this year.

While he is long-odds to contend at Merion, stranger things have happened and he’s playing good golf.

“I feel like I’m playing reasonably well. My game is developing with Lynchy (coach Dale Lynch) and I’m still improving which is the main thing,” Goggin says.

“I’m very happy to be back at a major. It’s a great golf course and I’m looking forward to it and just trying to enjoy and appreciate the opportunity.”