Otago Daily Times

Defending champion loving being back

- STEVE HEPBURN

THE defending champion is not walking in the same tracks as last year but has good form on his side.

Daniel Nisbet carded a 62 last year to win by two shots and give his career a boost.

He is also coming off a win in his home state at the Queensland PGA Championsh­ip last week.

Nisbet said the return to Queenstown was great.

‘‘It is a pretty amazing flight coming into Queenstown. The scenery here is just second to none. Whether being the

defending champion or not, it is just an amazing feeling to come back to these courses and area,’’ he said.

‘‘I played pretty well over summer and I felt I just had to tweak a few things. I feel like we have made the right choices and changes to be in contention again this year.’’

Nisbet (27) had a few niggly injuries, including his left

shoulder, but he felt that was all good now.

He was not superstiti­ous at all.

‘‘I have a couple of quirks I like to do, but no superstiti­ons at all. Last year, a lot of things got me over the line. Playing good golf was probably one of them.

‘‘I was driving the ball really well. I was hitting the driver really well, so just kept going with that. I had the confidence with the putter as well.’’

The win last year gave him a three year exemption on the Asian Tour and made for a busy year.

 ??  ?? Daniel Nisbet
Daniel Nisbet

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