Craig Parry tees up in his first PGA TOUR Champions event at this week’s Allianz Championship and says he’s not only looking forward to the golf in the second phase of his career but the travel as well.

Parry earned exemption to the TOUR as a former multiple winner on the PGA TOUR – the 50-year-old claiming the 2002 NEC Invitational and the 2004 Ford Championship at Doral.

The 2007 Australian Open winner fronted the media early in the week and said he’s looking forward to being back competing after playing little tournament golf in recent years.

"It’s obviously a good time to be back out on tour and have the opportunity to go and play tournament golf again, especially with people your own age," said Parry. 

"You know, you’re not playing against Jordan, Adam, Rory, Jason Day. I mean, it’s a different player that I’m playing against.

"They’re going to hit it the same distance I hit it, same clubs into the green. I think it’s going to be good. And it’s a bit more relaxed, the tour, as well.

"Having no cut obviously makes it that way and that’s going to be nice not having to worry about a Friday afternoon, having to make a putt on the last green to get through for the weekend. I mean, that’s going to be really good."

But competition aside Parry said he will enjoy his weeks off as well, he and wife Jenny are planning to do some travel when not teeing up in tournaments.

"I turned Pro in 1985 so I had that many years out on the tour playing tournament golf. I really didn’t miss it, especially the travel," he said of his time away from the Tour.

"Now I’m okay to travel. The kids have gone through school, my wife and I can come away and have a few cruises.

"We might get on Celebrity Cruises occasionally. I did the cruise back from Honolulu last year. Honolulu back to Australia, that was 17 days. That was unbelievable on the Royal Caribbean.

Parry, the only Australian in the field this week, will be paired with Mike Springer and Glen Day in the opening round.