French golfer Victor Riu makes his Queensland debut in the Garden City this week for the 2018 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Wippells Volkswagen at City Golf Club.

The 32-year-old has plied his trade on the European Tour and the secondary European Challenge Tour where he is a former winner, taking out the 2013 Swiss Challenge.

Currently competing on the Challenge Tour which is in between seasons at this time of year, Riu has taken up a tournament invite to stay match fit ahead of the new season beginning in late March.

“I just arrived last night from New Zealand, unfortunately I don’t have my golf clubs yet so I hope they will arrive in time,” laughed Riu who this morning took City Golf Club lady members through their paces with a clinic on the range.

“I haven’t seen the course just yet, this is my first time in Toowoomba so I’m going to walk the course this afternoon during the pro-am to have look.

“I’ll play it tomorrow morning, hopefully with my own clubs!”

This marks Riu’s second trip to Australia for a tournament, he played the 2014 ISPS HANDA Perth International.

The trip Down Under to visit family coincidentally lines up with the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Wippells Volkswagen, allowing Riu to again take part in the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“I played in Perth when I got my European Tour card in 2014, so this is the second time I’ve played a Professional golf tournament in Australia.

“I’m here in Australia for three months because my mum is living here so I’m visiting her and training for the full three months.”

With the warmer season underway in the southern hemisphere, Riu said he’s enjoying the sunshine as he keeps fit for the upcoming Challenge Tour season which begins with the Barclays Kenya Open from March 22-25.

“It’s much nicer weather here, in France it’s cold and it’s snowing at this time so it’s great to practice here in the sunshine,” added Riu.

“I’m happy I can play a Professional golf tournament while I’m here.”

The Challenge Tour’s last event was in November meaning a considerable gap between tournaments for Riu, however he said despite the lengthy break, he feels like his game is in good shape.

Getting tournament golf under his belt is his priority.

“My game is feeling good considering I haven’t played any tournaments for nearly four months so I’m excited to play under tournament conditions.

“The Challenge Tour season starts very late, the end of March. I’m feeling pretty good and I’ve been training hard and practicing a lot so this will be a good test to see how I’m hitting it.

“It’s a good hit out because with no golf in four months it’s important for me to play some golf under pressure.”

Following this week, Riu will travel back across the ditch with an aim to play his way in to the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open in two week’s time as he continues to build his playing schedule ahead of his new season.

“I hope to do well this week and then I’ll aim to Monday qualify for the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open in a couple of weeks too.”

The Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Wippells Volkswagen will be played at City Golf Club from 15-18 February.

Rounds three and four will be live streamed on PGA TV with round three beginning at 12:00pm and round four beginning at 10:00am.