That’s all the golf Japan Tour regular Adam Bland has managed this year.

The 2015 Japan PGA Champion is the first to admit the year has been a long one away from the course, and not just because of the COVID lockdown.

“I’ve basically had a nine-month break.

“I played Singapore in January. I played 17 holes and pulled out and haven’t played since.

“I wasn’t there mentally. I had struggled for most of the year (in 2019),” Bland admitted.

For an Aussie dedicated to forging a career on a foreign tour, playing without status in Australia has always had its pitfalls, so instead of chasing starts in the Victorian and NZ Open, Bland stepped away from the game during February and March, then COVID came along.

“I wanted some time away from the game then COVID made me wait another six months to get back into it.

“Now I’ve probably got at least another five months until Japan starts up again.

“It isn’t ideal, but it could’ve been the break I needed.”

Bland, like most of the other professionals in the field this week at the Geoff King Motors – North Coast Open at Coffs Harbour Golf Club, is simply glad to be back and ready to go. The South Australian is one refreshed golfer.

“I have no expectations this week. I could go and shoot 62 or 82 this week,” Bland added.

“I’ll go through some stuff, see where my game is at.

“Obviously If I come out and shoot 62, 62, 62, 62 these next four rounds then obviously my game’s in good shape.

“I’ve got no expectations, but we aren’t in this position because we expect to fail though are we?”

Expectations aside, if the week needed to start on a positive for Bland, it did so when he arrived and got his first look at the Coffs Harbour layout.

“It’s a great golf course. I hadn’t heard about it before, yeah maybe Bonville down the road, but no one has mentioned it before.

“It’s a beautiful golf course, unbelievable condition. The greens are some of the best I have putted on on this side of the country. They are shaved they are quick, it’s a great layout.”

Round one of the Geoff King Motors North Coast Open will begin at 7.25am AEDT. View the full draw at pga.org.au.