Kurt Barnes is aiming for a win on the PGA Tour of Australasia early in 2014 to ensure his place in the country’s biggest tournaments.

32-year-old Barnes will tee off his season this week at the Lexus of Blackburn Victorian PGA Championship at the Heritage Golf and Country Club.

"My last event in Australia was at this course and it’s turned out in fantastic condition again this year. I am looking forward to the challenge," said Barnes who focused his attention on the Japan Golf Tour in 2013.

"Last year in Japan was a little bit like a rollercoaster. The first six months were terrible due to my own incompetence and not doing the right things," added Barnes.

"I sat down midyear for meetings with some very influential people and ended up securing my card in my last nine events which I was very proud of."

Due to playing only one event in Australia last year Barnes returns to his home Tour with no status and will tee up in the Victorian PGA Championship courtesy of a tournament invite.

"Losing my status on the PGA Tour of Australasia is definitely tough," said Barnes who joined the Tour in 2003 going on to win the 2004 Queensland PGA Championship and 2005 Victorian Open.

"I always love playing at home, especially these early events so I am lucky that the sponsors have given me invites."

Rather than a hindrance it’s a motivating factor for the big hitting Tour Professional who is determined to sure up his place at the Australian PGA Championship, Australian Open, Australian Masters and Perth International.

"It was very hard missing the PGA Tour of Australasia events at the end of last year. We probably had the strongest fields we have ever fielded with the likes of Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy."

"It was disappointing not playing but I had a job to do in Japan and I had to make the sacrifice. Hopefully I can secure my Japan card early this year."

In the past 12 months Barnes has dropped from 167 in the Official World Golf Rankings to 437 but has regained his passion for the game thanks to his son.

"My form is good; I have played a lot of golf over the break, not so much hitting balls but playing with my eight year old son who has recently got the golf bug."

"We have been going out playing 9 and 18 holes every second day and it just doesn’t feel like practice."

"It has brought the enjoyment back into the sport I love so much."

A full Order of Merit event, a prize purse of AU$100,000 is on offer at the Lexus of Blackburn Victorian PGA Championship, as well as Official World Ranking Points and full status on the PGA Tour of Australasia for the winning Professional.