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Greg Chalmers has returned to the Gold Coast with a far more positive outlook on his playing future having overcome serious back and spine injuries.
Greg Chalmers had started looking for his next job but after a resounding return from injury at this month's Australian Open the 46-year-old's playing calendar is now full.
The two-time Australian PGA champion left last year's tournament on the Gold Coast considering his options thanks to constant back pain that kept the US tour regular off the course for 18 months.
Desperate to avoid early retirement, Chalmers has combined radical platelet-rich plasma injections and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat a torn ligament and widespread arthritis in his spine.
Confident but wary of his progress, Chalmers' first competitive test came at Sydney's Australian Open.
Four over through nine holes, the two-time Australian Open champion recovered emphatically to finish tied for fifth.
Back on the Gold Coast 12 months later chasing a third PGA title, the left-hander can now afford to pencil in as many as 12 events next year.
"It was what I expected; a lot of rubbish, lot of rust, but I wiped it off quickly and I've got a lot of energy around my golf now," he said ahead of Thursday's opening round.
"Hopefully it's a nice start to a new leg of my career."
Chalmers is keen to play on for many years, but had started asking his golfing connections about coaching and mentoring jobs as his pains wore on.
"It was pretty cool, because if it doesn't work out it's 'seek employment elsewhere'," he said of the realisation he was pain-free.
Backing his short game to give him an edge this weekend, Chalmers will carry good form into the Gold Coast tournament before returning to the United States.
He still has seven starts locked in next year thanks to a medical exemption, with the first likely to be The American Express - formerly the Bob Hope Desert Classic - in January.
"I'm cognisant that I'm 46. I don't want to tread water, I want to see if I can play at a high level right now," he said.
"I'm looking forward to getting after it on Thursday."
