This time, Westchester Country Club is nothing like the layout last week for the U.S. Open. Some of the favorites in the Buick Classic are hopeful their results aren't the same, either.

David Duval was "bewildered" by his 75s Saturday and Sunday that dropped him from a share of the lead in the U.S. Open to a tie for seventh. Vijay Singh, who tied for third, was still talking about good shots that went unrewarded at Pinehurst No. 2.

"I thought this Open was my tournament to win," Singh said.

And Ernie Els just wanted to forget his entire experience. He had rounds of 72 and 76 and missed the cut."

"I was kind of overanxious to make a good shot, instead of letting the golf course take care of my golf game," he said. "I tried to push things where I shouldn't have."

All three golfers say they are eager to make amends starting Thursday.

Westchester has often been compared to a U.S. Open-style course because of its tree-lined fairways, thick rough and slick greens. Pinehurst No. 2 was anything but that, with marginal rough compensated for with the treacherous, domed greens of Donald Ross.

Despite the difficulty of Pinehurst No. 2 -- Payne Stewart was the only player under par -- and the grinding atmosphere of the U.S. Open, Duval said he was surprised at how ready he is to play the Buick Classic.

After the Masters, in which he also had a chance on Sunday before losing strokes on the back nine, Duval missed the cut and withdrew from another tournament saying he was emotionally drained.

"I wanted to come and play here because I do like it," he said. ``But I didn't really expect to be as eager to play as I am. I thought I would be a little more worn out. I seemed to have gotten past that pretty quick."

Usually, the tournament is scheduled the week before the U.S. Open and is popular as an Open tuneup by many players.

One week after the Open this year, the tournament managed to attract only four of the top 10 money winners (Duval, Jeff Maggert, Singh and Steve Pate). Other tops names competing here are Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Lee Janzen, Tom Lehman and Justin Leonard.

Els was a back-to-back, wire-to-wire winner in the 1996 and 1997 Buick Classics but was forced to withdraw on his ninth hole in last year's first round because of a bad back.

He said he finally got over the injury late last year.

Until last year, Els had been sensational in this tournament. In addition to winning twice, he finished tied for fourth in 1995 and was second to Janzen in 1994. In 16 career rounds here, he has been over par only once.

"I can't explain it," Els said. ``All I can say is I like playing here. I like the way it sets up. You've got to hit fairways and greens and you have got to putt well."

J.P. Hayes is the defending champion. He beat Furyk on the first playoff hole in last year's rain-plagued tournament which was shortened to 54 holes.

DIVOTS: Total price money has increased from $1.8 million to $2.5 million and first-prize from $324,000 to $450,000. ... Duval, Bob Tway, Mike Hulbert and Doug Martin took batting practice at Shea Stadium prior to Tuesday night's Marlins-Mets game. Several players asked Duval for his autograph and about playing in the U.S. Open. "I was telling them it was like trying to stop a six-iron right there on the pitching mound," Duval said of Pinehurst's domed greens. ... Joel Kribel, a four-time collegiate All-America at Stanford, makes his pro debut this week.