Nick Cullen has returned to Brookwater Golf and Country Club to defend his Isuzu QLD Open title this week from 28 – 31 August.

Winning the title in 2013 by an emphatic five shots from three time European Tour winner Peter O’Malley the Isuzu QLD Open was Cullen’s first victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

"It was a great feeling to get my first win on homesoil," said Cullen who has also won the 2012 Indonesia Open.

"Winning for a second time was tough, because you are expected to win, but I played good golf last year and the course really suited me."

It also marked the start of a big summer for the South Australian, highlighted by an opening 65 at the Australian Masters where he went on to finish fourth behind Adam Scott.

"Winning the QLD Open gave me confidence heading into the summer," added Cullen.

"You want to see your name alongside the guys who are top-10 in the world or guys who have been number 1."

"Now I know I can be at the top in big tournaments when I play my best."

An untimely bout of appendicitis during the second round of the Emirates Australian Open put an end to Cullen’s year which also meant missing the Japan Tour Qualifying School.

Restructuring his plans for the 2014 season, Cullen earned status on the Asian Tour via Qualifying School before spending almost three months in the USA clearing his head after his setbacks at the end of 2013.

"I was looking forward to Japan all year, having to withdraw without actually getting to go was pretty brutal."

"So I did some qualifiers in the US, but I wasn’t playing too great. I have really only found form the last four weeks."

"The trip was more about clearing my mind, when you’re not playing well there’s a lot of things going through your head."

"I realised I had to get back to basics, find something which I can trust in again which I was able to do. Everything is happier and a lot more positive now."

Believing his game is in a better place than last year, Cullen is confident of retaining his Isuzu QLD Open title.

"My swing feels good; technically it’s a bit better than it was last year."

"I played nine holes yesterday and it brought back a lot of good memories so I think it will be a fun week."

But before he adds his name to the T.B. Hunter Cup for a second time he will have to once again tame the mentally challenging Brookwater layout.

"Brookwater is brutal; you have to keep it in play, be smart, stick to your game plan, make some putts and hopefully be in contention on Sunday."

"But absolutely I am confident."