Australian golfer Geoff Ogilvy believes he’s heading into the prime of his career.

Having won seven times in the USA, including the 2006 US Open, and another two times in Australia, Ogilvy’s resume is already impressive.

But with a topsy-turvy 2011 behind him the 34-year-old says the time is right for him to reach his ultimate potential.

“I think I could be coming into my prime,” the Victorian said as he prepared to launch his 2012 US PGA Tour assault at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines which begins on Thursday.

“Traditionally golfers become their best in their mid 30s.

“Hopefully I can have a healthy year as last year was a bit of an off year injury wise but there was a lot of good stuff amongst the bad.

“I think you learn more from your rough patches than your good ones so I should be a better player because of 2011.

“I think I have a better handle on golf then I ever have before and I have more tools now so hopefully that translates to better play.”

Ogilvy is a notoriously strong starter to the US season.

In the last eight years in his inaugural event of the year, Ogilvy has won twice and finished in the top 20 seven of eight times.

But the lone time he failed to impress came the last time he started his season at this tournament.

Ogilvy’s record at Torrey Pines isn’t flash, finishing no higher than 67th in four attempts at the Farmers Insurance Open, although he did finish in a tie for ninth in the 2008 US Open at the same venue.

He is hoping for a change of luck and some extra support given the fact he is now a ‘local’, playing for the first time since moving to the area in 2010.

“This hasn’t really been a happy hunting ground for me in the past but my game feels pretty good now,” he said.

“My first tournaments of the year have often been good ones so hopefully that continues.

“I have won all my US golf tournaments, except for one, early in the year.

“Maybe it’s because I’m relaxed after a trip to Australia and because I’ve always lived on the west coast so perhaps I’m just more comfortable.”

Ogilvy heads up a 13-strong Australian contingent at the event with Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Gavin Coles, Matthew Goggin, Nathan Green, Mark Leishman, Jarrod Lyle, Nick O’Hern, Rod Pampling and Matt Giles all set to tee it up.

Meanwhile Jason Day will open his season at the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi.