Golf: Paddison loosens European ties

NZ golfer Gareth Paddison is joining the new OneAsia circuit this year. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand golfer Gareth Paddison has more than one good reason to avoid the temptation to shoot a glance in the rear view mirror.

The Wellington left-hander much prefers to concentrate on what is in front of him rather than beat himself up about past misdeeds.

That applies both to his career in general and his last tournament in particular.

One of 16 New Zealanders in the 156-strong field for the US$600,0000 ($815,750) New Zealand Open starting in Queenstown today, Paddison has the chance to bin memories of his late meltdown in last week's New Zealand PGA Championship in Christchurch.

Two blocked drives on Sunday saw him shell five shots on the closing two holes as he tumbled from a share of third place one shot outside the lead to finish tied for 14th.

He had held his game together well for 70 holes before a triple bogey seven and double bogey six undermined all the good work.

It was a snap shot of the 29-year-old's career to date.

Seven seasons on the second tier Challenge Tour in Europe have rewarded him with just the one tournament victory, leaving him largely unfulfilled.

He also played the full European Tour in 2004 and 2005 but was unable to gain a foothold, leaving him to now adjust his horizons thanks to the emergence of the OneAsia circuit.

He will join that tour this season, starting in China in April, and plans playing all 11 tournaments so far confirmed on the tour schedule. He will retain his Challenge Tour links and play another 10 events on that circuit, for no other reason but to keep his hand in.

"I will still play some Challenge events but it's only to fill in the year really," he told NZPA.

He is excited at the prospect of spending time in Asia and is confident he has time to bed in some subtle swing changes he is making with the help of his new coach, Australian Denis McDade.

He was still coming to grips with the minor technical changes in Christchurch and knew his long game was not in top shape before the New Zealand PGA Championship.

"I was fragile off the tee at the start of that week. I knew with the longer clubs in my hands that I had to have a better swing and be much more careful with my shots," he said.

"The wind which picked up on the last four holes was the worst thing that could have happened for me.

"But I had 70 good holes and two bad ones and at the start of the week I had not expected to be up there (near top of leaderboard)."

Paddison has put that disappointment to bed, focusing instead on the job he needs to do in Queenstown and at the Moonah Classic near Melbourne next week ahead of the Victorian PGA Championship.

"If you just keep looking forward there is no point looking back at what could have been."

With his new schedule, Paddison will allow himself more time to practise this year, something he said he had struggled with in the past.

"Playing five events and having a week off then playing another four events ... it doesn't give you much time to actually work on your game. That's something I want to spend more time on this season."

His collaboration with McDade is a new one and he is sure the Melburnian will help his game after two years working with Briton Jason Floyd.

McDade also coaches Australians Paul Sheehan, Marc Leishman and Marcus Fraser, among others.

"I have only had a couple of quick lessons with him so far but Denis is an exceptionally good coach."

- NZPA