U.S. Open champion Cabrera runs out of puff

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

HONOLULU (Reuters) - Argentina's Angel Cabrera endeared himself to golf fans all over the world by winning last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont while repeatedly puffing on cigarettes to stay calm.

Much has changed for the likeable South American since his breakthrough victory in a major championship, among them an end to his smoking habit.

"It's been five months since I last had a cigarette," Cabrera told Reuters after firing a level-par 70 in the Sony Open first round on Thursday. "I just felt like not smoking any more.

"But I still don't have a sports psychologist," the Cordoba native added with a smile.

Shortly after his one-shot victory at Oakmont last June, Cabrera memorably told a news conference: "Some players have psychologists, sportologists. I smoke."

The big-hitting Argentinean, who splits his playing schedule between the PGA Tour and European Tour, has dealt with a plethora of media requests since his U.S. Open triumph.

"I wasn't used to being questioned all the time and relating to the press so this is something new for me," said Cabrera, speaking through a Spanish interpreter.

Asked whether he found the glare of the media spotlight difficult to handle, he replied: "It just comes with success. We have to take it.