Jason Norris is the first to admit his preparation for this year’s NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club from 16-19 November hasn’t been great, but at least he has an excellent excuse.

The South Australian based Professional arrived in Europe not long after his life-changing win in the AU$1.5 million Fiji International, the biggest win of his lengthy career, with a tweak in his back that would go on to become more troublesome in the following days.

“It (the back) was stiff. I think it was probably the flight,” Norris said.

“It just got worse, and I had to rest it and take a few weeks off. But I’ve been practising a lot more recently, and I’ve noticed it’s still getting sore.

“So I’m still taking it a bit easy.”

The laconic 44-year-old should be entering the NSW Open at Twin Creeks brimming with confidence coming off his incredible win in August, and he is.

“Winning like that gives you the belief that you can do it (win on the biggest stage).

“Winning is winning – whether it’s at the NSW Open or in Europe. Any tournament win helps create confidence.”

Norris has played the Twin Creeks layout just once in his career but has heard good things about it.

“When I played many years it was really dry, and it was tough,” Norris added

“But it’s a nice course. You have to place it a lot more.”

Norris has a full year on the European Tour to look forward to after his stunning breakthrough win in Fiji, but not before he enjoys yet another summer of golf in Australia, which serve as a warm-up for the biggest year of his golfing career.

The conditions for the first two rounds at Twin Creeks, however, might feel a little European with drizzle and cooler temperatures forecast for Thursday and Friday.

But Norris is hoping the course stays pretty firm.

“I don’t like it when it gets too soft, but we’ll just see what happens. I’d like to play well, and that’s the focus for me.”