KAPALUA, Maui » Geoff Ogilvy sees no reason why he can't be the second Aussie since Stuart Appleby to win this event back to back — or even compete with Tiger Woods as the world's best golfer.

If Ogilvy could play the Plantation Course every week, Woods might have something to worry about from the 2006 U.S. Open winner. The man from Down Under clawed his way into contention yesterday at the SBS Championship with a 7-under 66 that left him tied for third at 11-under 135, four shots off the pace of Lucas Glover.

Currently ranked 14th in the world, Ogilvy spent the offseason competing in Asia and Australia before coming to Maui to defend his title. He will skip the Sony Open in Hawaii next week so he can travel halfway around the world to play the Abu Dhabi Championship in the United Arab Emirates in two weeks against a strong European field.

With only a three-week offseason, Ogilvy didn't have to shake off a lot of rust as he prepared for this winners-only event. The first two years he played here, Ogilvy didn't make a lot of noise, but that has changed thanks to six consecutive rounds in the 60s.

Last year, he made his move in the third round en route to a six-shot victory. Given the way Glover and the rest of the 28-man field are playing this week, it's unlikely he'll run away and hide this time around.

“;Glover is obviously playing well,”; Ogilvy said. “;But he is going to have to keep playing well. Four or five shots do disappear. We all know starting the week if the weather is benign you are going to have to go low and you have to get close to 20 (under) or so.

“;There is nothing bad from winning the first tournament from any perspective. I don't think guys win tournaments to send messages. I wouldn't sit there on Monday morning at home thinking, isn't it great they are all thinking Geoff is supposed to be No. 1 this year. I wouldn't be thinking about it that way.”;

Still, the 32-year-old believes he can play as well as anyone, as he proved through the first three months of 2009. The problems come when his golf game isn't quite as sharp as he would like it to be. Shortening those lulls would go a long way in helping him become a top-10 golfer worldwide.

And with Woods taking an indefinite break, climbing to the top of the pile doesn't seem as daunting.

“;I think it's an interesting time, obviously. No. 1 in the world might be up for realistic grabs this year depending on how it all takes shape,”; Ogilvy said. “;I think I'm definitely one of those guys who could, I think, when I play my best, I can play with anyone.

“;I have had periods that are a bit inconsistent where I can't compete with anyone at all. Or I just play average, and I have to get rid of those periods. My good periods are great. I think I'm more than capable and I think I get better most years. It's definitely feasible. I'm not starting this year thinking any differently than I did last year because what's been going on. I want to be a better player.”;

Ogilvy opened with a 69 on Thursday to put himself in good position. The 66 yesterday was stellar, but Glover did him one better at 65, leaving Ogilvy in a tough spot entering the weekend. Last year, he carded a 65 in the third round to seize control. He'll need to dial a similar number today and tomorrow, then hope Glover stumbles a bit.

“;This is a golf course that the more you play it, the better you are going to go,”; Ogilvy said. “;The more you play here, the more you learn. The more you learn a course, the better you do. The better you do, the more you enjoy it.”;