Preparing to end his decade-long absence from the Masters, Rod Pampling first hopes to solve the riddle of his poor recent record at the US PGA Tour's Tampa Bay event in Florida.
The 47-year-old Australian will tee up at this week's Valspar Championship aiming to make amends after three missed cuts in his past four starts at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course.
"It's a puzzle we haven't worked out; Copperhead is tight and tree-lined, so it suits my game because you have to be accurate off the tee and hit controlled shots into the greens," said Pampling.
"But I'm looking forward to the challenge of improving my past form here and hopefully win the tournament."
Pampling will be joined by fellow Australians Aaron Baddeley, Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers, Geoff Ogilvy, Cam Smith and John Senden, who won the event in 2014.
Big names in the Valspar field include world No.6 Henrik Stenson and No.7 Justin Thomas.
The following week, Pampling will contest the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida, where he lifted the trophy in 2006 before returnign to the Masters for the first time since 2007.
The Queenslander booked his ticket to the year's first major with a US tour victory at Las Vegas in November, his first win on the tour since 2006.
"I'm going to Augusta with high expectations - I've won in the last four months and I'm feeling food about my game," said Pampling.
"I think I'm back to my best in terms of distance control and accurate iron play is crucial at Augusta with the greens being so treacherous when you miss in the wrong spots."
Pampling enjoys a solid record at the Masters, having earned a top-five finish on debut and a top 20 during three consecutive starts between 2005 and 2007.
But that didn't stop him visiting Augusta National in February to do some reconnaissance.
"I played two rounds at Augusta and it was really special to be back after 10 years. It's an amazing piece of property," said Pampling.
"I'm aiming to arrive on the Saturday before the Masters to do a bit more prep."
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