Long-hitting Angel Cabrera of Argentina defends his U.S. Open title at Torrey Pines this week with one component of his armoury missing.

Cabrera became the second South American to win a major championship with a one-shot victory at Oakmont Country Club 12 months ago, puffing away on cigarettes to stay calm.

One month later, he kicked the habit and he has not had a cigarette since.

"I'm feeling much better now that I don't smoke," Cabrera said. "My life goes on whether I smoke or not, so I don't really care much about it.

"But I still don't have a sports psychologist," the Cordoba native added with a smile.

Shortly after his Oakmont triumph, Cabrera memorably said: "Some players have psychologists, sportologists. I smoke."

The likeable South American, who splits his playing schedule between the PGA and European Tours, accepts he now attracts a higher level of scrutiny from his home fans.

"Certainly people in Argentina have big expectations about what's going to happen here this week in the U.S. Open," the 38-year-old said.

"Not only for Angel Cabrera but also for Andres Romero. His game is pretty good right now."

Romero, who came close to winning last year's British Open at Carnoustie, made his PGA Tour breakthrough with victory at the New Orleans Classic three months ago.

Asked what attribute of his game helped him most during last year's U.S. Open, Cabrera replied: "The most important thing I did was having a lot of patience on the golf course, specifically on the third day.

"The third day things went rough for me and having patience and waiting, I think that was the key," he added, referring to his six-over-par 76 in the third round. "I hope to do the same thing this year."

One of the longest hitters in golf, Cabrera knows his short game will have to be sharp on the ultra-long 7,643-yard South Course at Torrey Pines if he is to claim a second major title.

"My game is in very good shape, especially the long game," he said. "I'm working on my putting, trying to improve a little bit."

Cabrera is scheduled to tee off at 2036 GMT in Thursday's opening round with British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland and American Davis Love III.

Reuters