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Rising Australian star Cameron Smith says three "outlandish" goals he had set for the US PGA Tour this year feel within reach after his breakthrough Sony Open victory.

"I wanted to make the Australian team for the Olympics, to rise to top 20 on the world rankings and qualify for the Tour Championship at the end of the year," Smith told AAP at the Farmers Insurance Open in California.

"They were a little bit outlandish but now they're more realistic."

Smith's victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii two weeks ago certainly helped his chances of qualifying for the Olympics in July and moving into the world's top 20.

The Queenslander jumped more than 20 places to world No.31 and has since levelled at No.33.

Australia will likely send two golfers for the men's team at the Tokyo Olympics in July, based on world rankings.

Adam Scott (13th) and Marc Leishman (28) are the top Australians but Smith is breathing down their necks.

Smith admitted he "took his foot off the gas" after his first US PGA Tour victory at the 2017 Zurich Classic teams event but the Brisbane native says that will not happen again.

"No, it was very cool to win in Hawaii but I already feel back to normal and I'm pretty keen to kick on and make this a big season, particularly at the majors and hopefully the Olympics," he said.

The 26-year-old has improved his record at Torrey Pines in five prior visits, having struggled with its length early in his career.

Last year, the South course at Torrey Pines was the longest on the PGA Tour and has been lengthened 67 yards this year to measure 7765.

But Smith's share of ninth place at last year's event proved he can contend at the course that will host the US Open next year.

Other Australians in the field this week include two-time event winner Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Cameron Davis, Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy, John Senden and Rhein Gibson.

A fitter, stronger Marc Leishman believes losing 10 kilograms during the past six months has him feeling ready to reclaim his best golf this year, starting at this week's Farmers Insurance Open.

Leishman admits he put on almost 10kg after joining the US PGA Tour in 2009, when he became the only Australian to win the American circuit's rookie of the year award.

But after a disappointing run at the majors last year, the world No.28 went on a body blitz.

"Since (Open host) Royal Portrush, I've lost about 10 kilograms," Leishman told AAP at California's Torrey Pines course.

"I didn't feel great for the first couple of months as the toxins left the body but now I feel good.

"I wanted to set a good example for my kids by eating the right foods and preparing well for my job as a pro golfer."

The weight loss has begun to pay off for Leishman, recording a third-place result in his first start of the 2019-20 US PGA Tour season before a top 10 at the Australian Open.

He is chasing a fifth career win on the PGA Tour and first since October 2018.

But Leishman says the biggest benefit is avoiding injury after experiencing back troubles last year.

"I haven't been injured since I lost the weight," he said.

"Towards the end of tournaments I also feel better, mentally sharper.

"If you're struggling to concentrate you won't win tournaments."

Leishman hopes that extra focus pays off during the West Coast swing of the PGA Tour in January and February.

"Early in the year, after putting on Christmas kilos, I haven't been in my best shape past few years but now I feel like I'm in the shape I'd be in during the middle of the PGA Tour season," he said.

Particularly this week at Torrey Pines, where Leishman's missed opportunities to win include runner-up results in 2010 and 2014, as well as two other top 10s.

The 36-year-old is also desperate to win a maiden major championship having come close many times.

"The British Open and the Masters are my two best chances annually," he said.

"But the PGA (Championship) being at TPC Harding Park (in San Francisco) I made the final 16 of the 2015 WGC Match Play, so I'm excited about that major."

Having slid dramatically down the world rankings, Jason Day admits he is "a little behind schedule" on rehabilitating the back injury that forced him to withdraw from December's Australian Open and Presidents Cup.

But the former world No.1 is beginning to see positive physical results and is confident of reclaiming top form on the US PGA Tour this year, although he concedes that this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California may have come too soon.

"I'm coming off eight weeks of rehab and very little practice, so am I expecting a lot? I don't know," Day said.

"I can only putt for 30 minutes a day; typically I'm putting for two-and-a-half hours every day in my off weeks. Obviously, I'm a little bit behind schedule.

"I was on a ball count last week; I started at (hitting) 50 balls (at a time) and moved myself into the 100s, so I'm quite pleased with how things are progressing."

The sublimely gifted Day - who has twice previously won at Torrey Pines - has spent the majority of his US PGA Tour career ranked within the world's top 10 golfers but has plummeted to 44th after a lacklustre 2019.

The Queenslander's last US Tour win came in May 2018, which was his second that year.

Day went through four caddies last year, including a brief and unsuccessful stint with New Zealand's Steve Williams - former bagman to Tiger Woods.

His back injury forced him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and receive treatment on-course during the Masters in April, where he tied fifth.

But the 12-time PGA Tour winner has backed his ability and trademark work ethic to send him soaring back up the rankings.

"I'm not worried about the world ranking. I need to focus on just getting healthy and trying to be 100 per cent confident in my ability," he said.

"With world rankings, I know all it takes is good play to get back out there pretty quick.

"You win a couple of times on the West Coast and you're kind of near back to the top 10. So I'm not too worried about it.

"I feel like things are different this year and I feel like I'll have a better year."

Day will play alongside defending champion Justin Rose and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth for the opening rounds this week.

Other Australians in the field at Torrey Pines are Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Matt Jones, Cameron Davis, Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy, John Senden and Rhein Gibson.

Rory McIlroy has been impressed by Cameron Smith's recent Sony Open victory in Hawaii and his honesty when talking about Patrick Reed's cheating saga.

US PGA Tour officials have paid Smith a compliment in placing the Queenslander with four-time major winner McIlroy and American Brandt Snedeker in a marquee group at this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California.

It is Smith's first start since earning a maiden individual win on the US PGA Tour two weeks ago, while McIlroy is making his 2020 debut at the famed California course near San Diego.

Outspoken on issues from slow play to drug testing, McIlroy supported Smith's frank comments when asked about Patrick Reed's cheating scandal in the Bahamas in December.

"He's been very honest over the past couple months, which is a good thing," McIlroy told AAP at Torrey Pines on Tuesday.

American Reed was caught violating the rules and copped a two-stroke penalty after TV cameras captured him making improper swings in a waste bunker at the Hero World Challenge.

World No.33 Smith was quizzed by reporters about the Reed incident at the Australian Open a day later, where he said he "doesn't have any sympathy for anyone that cheats".

It lit a fuse for the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, where Reed was heckled relentlessly by the fans.

Reed's caddie, Kessler Karain, was involved in an altercation with a fan on the third day and was suspended by the PGA Tour from caddying on the final day at Royal Melbourne.

Last week, Golf Digest (US) reported that, "According to a source, an official from the PGA Tour spoke to Smith about the remarks, essentially issuing a warning that he would be fined in the future if he made similar statements."

Northern Irishman McIlroy, a former Australian Open winner, was also impressed with 26-year-old Smith's Sony Open victory in a sudden-death play-off and his singles victory over Justin Thomas at the Presidents Cup.

"I thought Cam's birdie (to force a play-off) at the Sony was huge," the world No.2 said.

"He's been playing clutch, especially that singles match against 'JT' at the Presidents Cup.

"He's been playing great for a long time and he has a great attitude.

"He knows who he is, what he can do and that there are going to be certain courses like (Sony Open host) Waialae Country Club that suit him more than other courses.

"He's aggressive seems and always plays well once he gets himself in contention. I'm looking forward to playing with him this week."

Former world No.1 Justin Rose has declared Tiger Woods' golf swing looks better than it ever has as the 15-time major winner attempts to rewrite history at this week's Farmers Insurance Open.

Having stunned the sporting world by winning last year's Masters at Augusta and another event in October, Woods' 82 wins are equal with Sam Snead for the US PGA Tour's all-time record.

But the 44-year-old can surpass Snead with a win at this week's US PGA Tour event at California's famed Torrey Pines - one of his happiest hunting grounds.

Woods has won the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines a record seven times in addition to the 2008 US Open there.

He has a chance to once again send 'Tigermania' into overdrive but attempted to manage hysteria during his Tuesday press conference at Torrey Pines.

"Let's just get there first, OK?" Woods said about 83 wins.

Fans are chomping at the bit to see what Woods can achieve after a comeback from oblivion in 2019.

In addition to winning the Masters and a US PGA Tour event in Japan, Woods went undefeated in all matches at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in December.

He was the best player at biennial teams event and, as a playing captain, led the American side to victory.

England star Rose said there was no reason Woods can't maintain the heights of last year.

"When he makes the swing with an iron, it's the purest swing ... I think his swing looks as good as he ever has," Rose said.

Woods will likely play five tournaments before defending his title at Augusta National in April.

It appears a lean schedule but with a history of chronic injuries and surgeries, Woods needs to balance recovery with competition.

"That's one of the things I've noticed, it's hard to recover now," Woods, who had knee surgery in August, said.

"But I've been able to win a few tournaments since I've made my comeback and hopefully win some more."

Woods was quizzed on his chances of reeling in Jack Nicklaus' record 18 majors, but stressed that would take time.

"Fifteen (majors) is a lot. It took Jack about 26 years to get to (18); it's taken me 20-something years to get to mine," Woods said.

America is likely to have four golfers qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo in July and Woods is determined to be among them.

He sits fourth on the American team standings via the world rankings behind Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson.

"For the US guys, we are going to have to play well,'' he said.

"There's a lot of us that are in the top 15. There's so much golf to be played, so many big events.

"There will be some pretty good fluctuating over the next six months."

Matt Kuchar survived a nightmare on the front nine before claiming a three-shot victory over former world No.1 Justin Rose in his maiden appearance at the Singapore Open.

The American dropped a triple bogey but displayed tremendous resilience to card a one-under-par 70 for a winning total of 18-under 266.

Kuchar extended his overnight lead to four shots before running into serious trouble on the par-5 seventh hole.

His tee shot hit the root of a tree and he missed the ball in his first attempt to get it out from the trees.

Compounding his woes, his approach shot flew left of the green and went out of bounds.

Kuchar steadied his round with three birdies on his back nine to win the tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

"It was a thrill to be out there. It turned out to be quite a competition, much more of a competition than I was thinking it was going to be," said Kuchar.

Englishman Rose mounted a late charge on the back nine, sinking four birdies in six holes from the 11th but his 67 was not enough to overtake Kuchar.

Jazz Janewattananond's title defence did not materialise and the Thai finished third at 14 under with a closing 71.

Jazz Janewattananond has injected fresh momentum into his title defence at the Singapore Open with a second round six-under-par 65 to grab a one-shot lead heading into day three.

The 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, beginning his round two shots off the pace on Friday, bogeyed the second hole before hitting three birdies on his front nine.

The Thai picked up four more shots on his back nine to be at 10-under-par 132 at the halfway stage but he refused to be complacent especially with Matt Kuchar and Justin Rose lurking two shots behind.

Philippines' Miguel Tabuena matched Jazz's 65 to share second place with Korean teen Joohyung Kim who hit a 66 at the Sentosa Golf Club.

"There are still two more days and anything can happen," said Jazz, who is bidding to be the second player, after Australian Adam Scott, to defend the title.

"Everyone will be bringing their A game into the weekend. You just got to try and bring yours too and do what you have to do.

"Today I struggled at the start, was a bit shaky but I found the groove after and managed to get it done quite right."

American Kuchar endured a topsy-turvy outing before hurling himself into title contention with a 68.

"It was quite breezy this morning and there were some difficult holes out there," said the American who mixed seven birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey.

"I am glad that it was another good round today and I am in a good position for the weekend."

Former world No.1 Rose hit a 66, while Australian Travis Smith hit a 68 to be in equal 10th and compatriot Andrew Dodt was one shot back after carding a 69.

Jason Scrivener is just two shots off leaders Renato Paratore and Shaun Norris after carding an error free 66 in his opening round at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Italian Paratore and South Africa's Norris both shot eight-under 64s to share the lead, while recovering world No.1 Brooks Koepka was tied with Australia's Scrivener in third on his return from injury.

The 23-year-old Paratore, chasing his second title on the European Tour, sank nine birdies with gains in the final four holes before Norris too finished the round strongly.

"Today the short game was really good and also the iron play," Paratore said.

"The last four holes I holed some good putts on 18 and 17 so I'm pretty happy with the short game."

Norris, who lost his father in July, said he was enjoying his golf again with his brother carrying his bags.

"It's been a rough year last year after losing my father... it feels like everything is just working at the moment," Norris said.

"We're having a lot of fun out there, that's the main thing, I'm happy with what's happening."

Four-times major champion Koepka, who has not played since slipping on concrete in the PGA Tour's C.J. Cup in South Korea in October and injuring his left knee, shot a bogey-free 66 to sit alongside Scrivener.

"I like the way I've played. I've kind of known I've been hitting it really well, putting it really well for a couple of weeks," Koepka told Sky Sports.

"It's good to be back. I've missed the competition.

"I think the first day I picked up the club... I felt like I hadn't left. I've done it for years and years. You don't forget how to swing the golf club.

"It (knee) feels fine. It was a little sore last night, just did some treatment on it, that's expected. This is a first week I've walked 18 holes and I've done it three times already. It's a little tired."

Australian Murray Zach and Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Sergio Garcia were in a group of players tied for fifth.

Scott Hend and Lucas Herbert were both three-under in a big group tied for 18th and fellow Australian Wade Ormsby was two shots back.

Kosuke Hamamoto has impressed immediately in his Singapore Open debut, firing a flawless six-under-par 65 to grab an early lead before the opening round was suspended because of fading lights.

The 20-year-old Thai sank three birdies in each nine in his blemish-free round on Thursday to be one shot ahead of a quartet that included compatriot Gunn Charoenkul and American Matt Kuchar.

"To be honest, I'm just really happy to be playing in this prestigious event," Hamamoto said.

"I just went out there to have fun and tried not to put too much pressure on myself.

"I've been trying to work as hard as possible after graduating from Qualifying School and the results are finally beginning to show."

Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand kicked off his title defence with a promising 67.

"The score is not bad although I left a bit out there," said the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

"It's still the first round, so there's no need to go too serious about this now. It's still a good score so I'm pretty happy with it."

Australian Wonjoon Lee is one shot further behind alongside former world No.1 Justin Rose, though the Englishman was not too unhappy with his round.

"My game was not exactly great. I did not hit many good shots today but I think I managed my game very well," Rose said.

"I could have played the par fives better... Those are the only parts of my round that I think I could have done better."

Australians Travis Head and Andrew Dodt are a further shot back on 69 while Dylan Perry is one-under with six holes to go and David Micheluzzi made par.

Australia's Wade Ormsby has continued his impressive run at the Hong Kong Open carding a second successive four-under-par 66 to maintain a two-shot lead after Saturday's third round.

South Australian Ormsby, who has led throughout, remained on top with an eagle, three birdies and a bogey for 13-under 197 overall.

"I probably struck it the best I have all week early today," Ormsby said.

"I'm not going to play conservative, I'll play the golf course exactly the same way I played it for 10-15 years and let them come at me.

"And if they do, they do, I'm just going to keep doing my thing."

Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul (65) is behind 2017 champion Ormsby on 11-under 199.

Rashid Khan shot a seven-under 63 and shares third place - another two shots back - with Australia's Terry Pilkadaris (64), South Korea's Taewoo Kim (66) and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond (67).

The tournament began on Thursday after a six-week delay because of anti-government protests.

It was originally scheduled for November in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory which has seen more than six months of anti-government demonstrations.