Adam Blyth is set to make it a defence of sorts of his 2016 NSW Open Championship when the tournament gets underway at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club next week.
The 37-year-old is back after being unable to defend his crown last year due to a date clash with the final stage of the European Tour School.
Blyth said he was fraught with the need to pass on defending, but with the riches of the world’s second largest tour beckoning, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“It was a tough decision,” Blyth said.
“Winning it gave me the opportunity of playing the final stage of the European Tour School.
“Defending a Championship is truly an honour to have, but the win also gave me the chance of playing in Europe. I went over, gave it a go, but just missed.”
The Queenslander described the win, the biggest of his career to date, as almost the perfect week of golf. His fiancé Nicole (now his wife) caddied for the first two rounds, before his father Stephen arrived from Queensland to be by his side for the final two rounds.
“I got the putter going at Stonecutters. I holed everything that week,” he said.
“Nicole caddied the first two days and then Dad did the weekend. It was kind of unique in a sense.
“People couldn’t believe I changed with the form I was in, but it was always the plan, Nic doesn’t really like carrying the big bag, and Dad has always been there.”
Fast forward two years, and a refreshed Blyth is ready to get his 2018 Australian Summer of Golf campaign into gear.
He has spent most of the off-season plying his trade on the Asian Tour, describing his year as up and down.
He said the NSW Open at Twin Creeks is the ideal place to start.
“I played solidly in India last week finishing 57th,” Blyth said.
“I didn’t do anything brilliant, but played OK.”
Blyth said he is feeling comfortable heading into the tournament, and hopes to rekindle his 2016 form.
“My swing feels really good, but it’s more about getting putts into the hole,” Blyth said.
“Hopefully, I can rekindle the memories from a couple of years ago.”
