US PGA champion Rich Beem says he doesn't expect to conquer the world, he's not in awe of Tiger Woods and he's fresh from playing golf on circuits where you either win or sleep in your car.

Beem has arrived in Melbourne to prepare for an Australian Open Championship at which his is the biggest overseas name.

But rather than attempt to come to grips with the treachery of Victoria Golf Club's greens - or browns - Beem's first job is to work out if it's night or day.

The 32-year-old arrived in Melbourne early today and within hours was on his way to Victoria to play in the pro-am.

"I have no idea where I'm at right now," Beem said.

"At the moment I don't know anything about anything, I don't feel anything, I don't know what to expect.

"I'm hoping to play well, I'm swinging well, but I have no idea."

At 24th in the world, Beem is the second highest ranked player in the Open behind Australia's Robert Allenby and is the only major championship winner in the field.

He is also a last start winner with Sydney's Peter Lonard of the Hyundai Teams Matches in California, which earned the winners $500,000.

But he's not the sort to get carried away by a couple of decent rounds of golf.

"I've got a lot of room for improvement," he said.

"And I don't have to think too hard to remember what it was like to have to do something else to stay alive."

Beem's alternative occupation was selling mobile phones, a career that was looking more and more like a full time one until he got his US Tour card back and won the PGA.

Since then Beem has been a regular top 10 finisher and prides himself on having given hope to other battling players.

"Everywhere I go guys come up to me and tell me they were inspired by what I did and that makes me pretty proud," he said.

While Beem puts down a lot of his success to "good luck and a good wife", he is also playing with confidence and character.

Lonard, who teamed with Beem in his latest victory, said the American couldn't be underestimated in any tournament.

"For consistency and ball striking, Rich is up there with the best of them, he's a serious player," Lonard said.

But Beem prefers to keep his sights set at a conservative level.

"I'm not someone who wakes up every morning and thinks I'm going to conquer the world," he said.

"I just hope the world doesn't kick the shit out of me."

Beem said his goal a year ago had been merely to keep his PGA Tour card, his second was to finish in the top 125 on the money list, and then the top 70.

"I'm not really thinking about wins in majors or anything like that ... right now I'm thinking about where my game will be in January next year."

And where it will be on Sunday afternoon.

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