Canberra golfer Matt Millar hopes an unscheduled trip home helps him finish his season on a high as he starts plotting his path to redemption for next year.
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Millar will tee off at the Australian PGA championships at Royals Pines on Thursday morning in his last four-round tournament of the year.
The former Gold Creek teaching professional is still licking his wounds after failing to make the cut at the Australian Open last week after a heavy travel schedule took its toll on his body.
Millar spent three weeks travelling around Japan and Spain in the hope of qualifying for the Japan or European Tour before returning to play at the Australian Open.
But he's determined to make amends on the Gold Coast after having three days in Canberra, vowing to throw all of his energy into chasing a breakthrough title against some of the world's best.
Millar will start his opening round on the first tee at the same time US Masters champions Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia begin their Australian PGA bid from the 10th tee at 6.10am Thursday.
"I made way too many mistakes last week and they were things I don't normally do," Millar said.
"I don't like to use excuses. I think my brain and body were more tired than I thought they were, but there was still a lot of good stuff last week.
"It's not all doom and gloom. I feel more positive about this week. I've got the early tee time so hopefully I can make the most of it while the crowds are following the other big guys.
"I would have preferred to play well last week, but the time I got at home with Bec and the kids was really good. Hopefully that time helps."
Millar, a finalist at the Greg Norman Medal on Tuesday night for the Australiasia player of the year, already has one eye on next year as he weighs up his future.
He turned down an invitation to play at the Johannesburg Open in South Africa next week to start turning his focus to his bid to secure a full-time return to the professional circuit.
He is exempt for a handful of tournaments in Europe and will consider Asia Tour qualifying school to fill his schedule.
But a shock win at the Australian PGA will open more doors as well as carrying the extra incentive of a European Tour card.
The 41-year-old only needs to look at his Australian Open playing partner, Cameron Davis, for inspiration. Davis, 22, was a shock winner at the Australian Open last week after running hot on day one and the final round.
Millar finished in a tie for sixth at the Australian PGA two years ago.
"I'm just going to go into this weekend with everything ... but you do need to start thinking about next year and what's coming up," Millar said.
"Winning up here would be the ideal scenario. No one will expect you to win it and there are so many good players in the field ... but if you play well, there's no reason why you can't give yourself a chance.
"A mediocre game from me won't get me a win, you'll have to bring your best. But if you do that for four days, you'll give yourself a chance."
