PREVIEW-Golf-Goose ready to soar again after victory drought

HOUSTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Winless on the PGA Tour for almost three years, twice U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen has renewed confidence in his game for this week's New Orleans Classic.

The smooth-swinging South African tied for second at the weather-delayed WGC-CA Championship in Miami on Monday and is in optimistic mood with the year's first major, the April 10-13 Masters, just around the corner.

"It's nice to get the game going a little bit," Goosen told reporters after finishing one stroke behind Geoff Ogilvy of Australia at Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

"It's a pity I couldn't have had just one shot better, but overall I'm very happy.

"This was my fifth event in a row and I was determined to keep going to get my game in shape," added the 39-year-old after posting his first top-10 on the 2008 PGA Tour.

"I don't like to practise a lot so I felt playing a lot was the only way to get my game back into shape."

Goosen, U.S. Open champion at Southern Hills in 2001 and in 2004, says better putting over the last month has been the pivotal factor in his improved game.

"I changed my putting a little bit about three weeks ago and then last week at Bay Hill I actually started to putt a little bit better," he said, referring to his tie for 14th at Bay Hill where he closed with successive 68s.

ONE SHORT