Brandt Snedeker is looking to kick-start his season at the Australian PGA Championship as he goes in search of Major Championship glory and a place on the United States Ryder Cup team in 2016.
The American has struggled with knee, rib and hip injuries in recent seasons, with the knee injury sustained while riding a Segway in China forcing him to pull out of this event in 2013.
But he is back to full health and, after a winless 2014, claimed victory in the AT&T Pebble Peach National Pro-Am on the US PGA Tour in February. His 2016 campaign has seen missed cuts in two of his three events so far but the 34 year old arrived at RACV Royal Pines Resort excited about the year ahead.
"I'm here to win and obviously I think I'm playing some good golf," he said. "The results haven't really shown it lately but I'm playing pretty well. I'm playing a lot better than I have been.
"It's a kind of kick-off to my new year. I'm playing next week in the Templeton Shark Shoot Out and two weeks (off) for Christmas and then back on the road again. So this is kind of my kick-off to my year. So I'm excited, nervous, everything that you could think of to start the new year.
"Hopefully all the work I've put in and the time I've had off gets me started on the right foot."
Snedeker was a member of the US Ryder Cup team so memorably defeated by Europe at Medinah in 2012 but missed out on the 2014 edition at Gleneagles as the Europeans won for a third contest in a row.
Medinah skipper Davis Love is back in charge for next year's clash at Hazeltine and Snedeker, who was handed a captain's pick in 2012, is hopeful to play under the 1997 US PGA Championship winner again.
The Ryder Cup is just a huge deal for us. Having Davis Love be our captain again, I think every American is trying to make that team because of what it means for us - Brandt Snedeker
"Every year you start off trying to win. When you win it takes care of a lot of problems, it takes care of a lot of issues. So that's what my goal is, just to get back in the winner's circle again and, in Major Championships, just have chances.
"There's only four of them a year and it's very, very tough timing, making sure you're playing great those four weeks. But giving yourself chances is all you can really do. That's my main goal, to give myself chances in a couple of Majors and try to get a win. If not one, more than one and then Ryder Cup.
"That's all kind of right there in my mirror, I see it every day, kind of my goals I write out every year and this is a starting moment for that. So I need to make sure I'm off on the right foot."
One of the men Snedeker will have to overcome if he is to win this week is home favourite and defending champion Greg Chalmers. The 42 year old claimed victory last year in a play-off against Adam Scott and Wade Ormsby where they had to play the 18th seven times before a victor emerged.
The last is a different proposition this year after a remodel and, echoing the sentiments of Snedeker, Chalmers is expecting a tough test, especially should the wind get up.
"I certainly wouldn't like to play that 18th hole seven times now. It's very difficult," he said.
"So much is weather dependent, it's meant to blow a lot apparently. It's really tough to pick a number. I'd take 10 under and sit in the clubhouse, I really would. I think it's going to be a lot tougher than last year.
"My game's in decent shape. I don't get to defend very much, I haven't won enough to call it normal so it's nice.
It's nice to come back to an event that is special. I've won it twice and to come back as a defending champion is very unique - Greg Chalmers
Brisbane native John Senden is also in the field this week and he would love to claim a win in his home state.
"There's no better place to do it than in Queensland, in your home state and also in front of your friends and family," he said. "They're all going to be down here this week and winning the National PGA Championship would be a dream come true again.
"I feel like my game's in good shape. I just have to be strong and believe that I can do it and keep doing the work to try and get there.
"It's not to do anything out of the ordinary, it's just about playing solid and doing my work well and I think that hopefully I can be in contention come the weekend."
