US OPEN champion Lucas Glover admits he has a long way to go to challenge Tiger Woods on a regular basis but becoming a major winner has changed his mindset.

The unheralded 29-year-old beat a host of stellar names to the title at Bethpage last month.

And that win, for a man whose previous biggest victory was the 2005 Funai Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort, has brought new confidence.

"I’ve been playing well, and if I’m playing well I think I can do well," said the South Carolina-born Glover.

"From now on it is just getting back into contention, because that’s hard enough.

"I feel good about how I handled myself at Bethpage so if I get there I feel like I’ll know what to do.

"I haven’t done super (in previous Opens) but I’ve enjoyed every course I’ve played."

Glover was asked whether his major win had made him feel he could compete with Woods.

"I got paired with him at the AT&T two weeks after (the US Open). He beat my brains out for two days so I think he’s still got me," was his reply.

Unlike many other major winners, the American has not cut back his schedule, playing in the three successive weeks after Bethpage.

Glover believes it allows him to escape the demands put on a newly-crowned champion.

Former US Open and current Masters champion Angel Cabrera also feels more at home in the majors.

The Argentinian won a three-way play-off against Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry at Augusta in April.

"Certainly having won two majors is something that gives me a lot of confidence and makes it a lot easier for me to come and play big tournaments," he said.