Ogilvy flying high

Clubhouse leader Geoff Ogilvy firmly believes he is playing well enough to break through and claim his first Australian Open title. After following up his first round 68 with a second-round 65 in near-prefect conditions at The Lakes on Friday, the 2006 US Open winner returned to the scorer&aposs tent 11-under for the tournament, four strokes clear of his closest pursuers. Ogilvy was denied an Australian Open victory by John Senden four years ago, an opportunity lost that still stings to this day. But the 33-year-old is starting to think his time may have arrived and the coveted Stonehaven Cup could be in his possession come Sunday night. “I like the way I&aposm playing. My finish yesterday I probably snuck away with a shot or two better than I deserved but today I probably couldn&apost have had any more (shots),” Ogilvy said on Friday. “I played really well for the score I had today, so if I keep playing like that I&aposm sure I&aposll be there or thereabouts at the end.” “Hopefully I keep playing like that.” Ogilvy&aposs biggest threat could come from within, the chance of winning a national championship an all-consuming prospect. But the laidback Victorian dismissed such fears, even if he admits he will go to bed on Friday dreaming of victory. “The closer you get to the end, the more you start thinking about it (winning) but after 36 holes it&aposs not going to monopolise my thoughts,” Ogilvy said. “You come here wanting to win and you&aposre lying if you say you&aposre not thinking about winning the tournament but it&aposs way at the back of (your mind).” “But the closer you get to the end of the tournament you can&apost help thinking about it.” “It&aposs only human I think.” There were no signs of what was to unfold when Ogilvy teed off in benign conditions on Friday morning. Playing with defending champion Adam Scott and China&aposs Liang Wenchong, Ogilvy parred his first three holes before peeling off five birdies. He began his charge at the 13th, hitting his approach to tap-in range at the short par-four. He then pummelled his drive at the par-five 14th to set up a two-putt birdie before hitting his tee shot inside two metres on the par-three 15th to complete his hat-trick. The Victorian added two more birdies either side of the turn to put the field on notice.