Golf: Geary claims tough time over

Tauranga golfer Josh Geary is having to start his professional golf career from scratch at the age of 28.

Having lost his status in the United States after a poor season on the Web.com Tour last year, Geary missed out on qualifying for any of the Asian circuits this year and will have to look at lower-tier options or Monday qualifiers for his ticket back to the show.

Geary said it wasn't just a lack of form that caused his downward spiral last year.

"I've made some swing changes. I really looked at it, where it was at and where I needed to be and me and my coach both decided that we needed to change some things to make it more consistent and I did that last year," said Geary.

"Unfortunately for that it was almost a sacrifice year. I kind of just played terribly but I was just going through changes that I had to do and I had to bite the bullet.

"It sort of came right around the Aussie Open at the end of last year and I hit the ball really good. The last three months has been really, really good. It's just unfortunate that I lost my status in the mean time.

"But it'll be a good change for the future."

The results have slowly begun to trickle in and Geary banked a much-needed $31,600 at the NZ PGA Championship at The Hills at the start of the month when he finished in a tie for third with fellow Kiwi Gareth Paddison at 15-under, four strokes back from eventual winner Michael Hendry.

Geary, who is based in Charleston, South Carolina, went back to the United States shortly after the NZ PGA, where he had a fundraiser to attend. "I'm actually a bit strapped for cash. So I've been trying to raise some funds and find some sponsorship for this year coming up."

The rebranded PGA Tour Canada looks like Geary's next stop and the eight-tournament circuit that gets under way in June could provide a lifeline to his career.

"I'll do some Monday qualifying for the Web.com Tour and probably go to Canada. They've got a Q school for their tour this year and the top-five on the order of merit get a spot on the Web.com Tour next year.

"That's kind of what I've got to do is get back on that third tier and build back up and the way I'm playing I'm pretty confident I can do it this year."

Geary made his way through the professional ranks via the Canadian tour and won the Saskatchewan Open in July 2008.