CARLSBAD, Calif. — Geoff Ogilvy never imagined himself winning the Match Play Championship. He was too busy looking for the exit.

Ogilvy had already removed his cap when Nick O'Hern stood over a 5-foot putt to win on the 20th hole. That was on Thursday, a lifetime ago. Then came Mike Weir, 4-up with four holes to play in the third round but unable to put away the ultimate survivor of a tournament that requires nothing less

Ten times, Ogilvy was one putt away from going home.

"No one made one," he said, "which is pretty fortunate."

Ogilvy ended his long, improbable journey yesterday at La Costa Resort by making short work of Davis Love III, pulling away with a magnificent 4-iron into 6 feet for a conceded eagle and not giving Love the chance everyone else gave him to capture the World Golf Championship.

"Unbelievable," Ogilvy said after his 3-and-2 victory in the 36-hole final. "It's such a hard tournament to believe you're going to keep going. I got lucky the first four days, and the last two games I played very well."

Ogilvy walked off with the $1.3 million winner's check.