Golf has turned full circle for Robert Allenby as he prepares to play the Victorian Open for the first time in 18 years.
Allenby won the championship as an amateur in 1991 to launch his career and he's now back at 13th Beach in Barwon Heads without a tour card to start the opening round on Thursday.
"The way everything has fallen over the last year, it makes sense to come here for this week and go to Perth (International) next week," he said on Wednesday.
"It's important that you remember where you grew up and where you started. Victorian golf was awesome for me growing up and helped me to become a professional golfer and led me in a great direction. It really did."
While the 45-year-old hasn't won since claiming a fourth Australian PGA crown in 2009, he's coming off solid form late last year, including tied 12th at the Fiji International and 10th at the Australian Open at Royal Sydney in November.
"I hit a drive today 360 metres, so I think I can still get it out there," he said.
"That's the one thing that hasn't left me, my ball-striking.
"I had problems the last few years with a loss of confidence, but it's starting to come back.
"Honestly, I'm probably hitting the ball better now than I ever have for my whole career."
West Australian Brett Rumford, who has taken a break from the European tour to play the Vic Open and his home town Perth next week, is favourite for the title.
Other contenders include defending champion Michael Long and 2015 titleholder Richard Green.
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