Jordan Spieth says a six-week break has left him in the best shape of his life ahead of this week's Australian Open.
The former world No 1 has not played competitively since helping the United States reclaim the Ryder Cup in early October.
But he arrived in Sydney confident he is in condition to challenge for a title he won in 2014 before a runners-up finish last year.
"I feel very fresh," Spieth said. "I feel as strong and healthy as I've felt ... probably ever to be honest.
"It was really nice taking a few weeks off, just training and only getting back into golf the last couple weeks. Really trying to make it an off season."
Spieth faces a different challenge to previous years in Sydney now the tournament has relocated to the Royal Sydney course by the city's harbour.
He said: "The scores are just going to be dependent on weather, I think - how hard the wind blows. If it doesn't blow you can tear this place up and if it does then you can get into some trouble quickly.
"Nothing really changes, other than less drivers most likely. I still plan on being pretty aggressive, I've just got to try and figure out where all these slopes are, so when the pins are in their locations for the tournament you understand which sides to miss it on."
Last year's winner Matt Jones is not in the field, but home players Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy will be among Spieth's rivals.