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Sydney - Victorian Geoff Ogilvy will take a one-shot lead into the third round of the 2010 Australian Open after a stunning performance at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney on Friday.
Out early in the morning field, Ogilvy made the most of the perfect conditions, sinking seven birdies on his way to the outright lead for the event co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.
At the halfway mark Ogilvy leads at 11-under, only one shot ahead of fellow US Tour player Matt Jones, who shot an incredible round of eight-under in tough afternoon conditions.
Matt Griffin is a further shot back at nine-under while American Dudley Hart shares fourth position with 2006 Australian Open Champion John Senden.
A refreshed Ogilvy attributed his form to some much needed time off over the last two months back in his home town of Melbourne.
"I am much happier with (my game) this time than I was this time last year. I was pretty over it this time last year. This was my sixth tournament in seven weeks last year," said Ogilvy, who finished outside of the top 30 in the 2009 Australian Open.
"I'm pretty happy with what I have done. I had a really good time away from the game. I have practised pretty hard for a month, starting the week before the Masters. It has been nice to be in Melbourne for two full months."
Teeing off the 10th hole alongside defending champion Adam Scott and China's No. 1 player Liang Wenchong, Ogilvy's day started slowly before holing three consecutive birdies from the 13th.
With two more birdies on 17 and 18 Ogilvy turned at five-under through his first nine holes.
As the wind started to increase in the afternoon Ogilvy sank two more birdie putts on 3 and 8, finishing the morning field in the clear lead and leaving it up to the afternoon field to chase down his score.
Liang became the joint-top Asian in the field after a bogey-free 68 put him two-under, level with Thailand's Panuphol Pittayarat (72) as well as Korean Tour player John Huh (71) of the USA.
