If Adam Scott thought dragging himself out of bed at 3.45am for his opening round of the Australian PGA Championship was tough then spare a thought for Brisbane Professional Matthew Guyatt.

The father of three literally ran from the golf course in Kansai in Japan where he had just secured his card at Q-school on Wednesday to jump on a flight.

"I finished my round about 3.30pm yesterday and I literally ran from the 18th green to the clubhouse to sign my card and make sure I could leave the course," Guyatt said during a rain-delay during the first round of the Australian PGA Championship.

"We made the 150km dash to Osaka airport and made it with about 30 minutes to spare."

Guyatt flew to Taiwan for a connecting flight out of Taipai at 1pm in the morning which landed in Brisbane at 10.10am in the morning.

"I had to get through customs and make it to the course for a 1pm hit off," he said.

He managed to par just two holes before the players were called from the course in the early afternoon as storms approached.

Armed with a positive new approach to his golf this year Guyatt finished tied for 8th at the Japanese Q-school in which 35 of 200 players earned their cards for 2015.

After giving away golf in 1999 after losing his card, Guyatt played AFL in Queensland’s second tier league.

But he’s rediscovered his love for the game and says life could not be better.

"I’m nearly 40, maybe I’m starting to grow up," he smiled.

"I think we all go through those times when we question if it is worth being away from our families chasing something that’s such a tough profession to be in," he said.

"What’s changed for me is I think I have become a better person. I realise what I do on the golf course does not define who Matt Guyatt is.

"I have a very strong faith. I’ve been brought up in the church all my life and I think I am in a much better place with faith which is even stronger.

Guyatt, who led the Australian Masters field several years ago, said the chance to put a smile on a young child’s face or give someone a helping hand was just as rewarding as playing good golf.

"In Japan one night after dinner I went back to my hotel and there was a disable Japanese lady battling to get her bags and walker out of the car."

"I helped her get inside the hotel and just to see her face and here her say thank you in Japanese was just so rewarding."

"The joy of my day is not what score I have on the golf course but what I can do on that day to make someone smile."

"I am really at peace with life. I love being a dad to my kids and a good husband to my wife."

Guyatt spent some time away on missions for his church which he said helped  him realise that golf was just a sport.

He feels blessed to have a wife and three healthy children.

"When I was away for my church I saw kids who weren’t loved by the parents and who were beaten by their parents," he said.

"I’ve got it great. It doesn’t really matter what happens on the golf course, I walk off the course and I’ve still got everything and a lot more than a lot of others have got."

Guyatt’s tough week continues tomorrow when he returns to the course at even par to complete the final 14 holes of his rain-interrupted first round before playing his second round of the tournament led by American Boo Weekley who opened with a six under 66.

Related Links

Scores / Australian PGA Championship Leaderboard
Results / Japan Golf Tour Q-School Results