Golf: Dreaming of chance on big stage

A fine start to 2014 has brought a packed schedule for Jared Pender. Photo/File

Trying to crack the golfing big, or even medium, time is a tough task no matter where you are from.

Attempting to do it from the bottom of the world is even tougher, following a path most often winding through the New Zealand, Australian State, Australasian and Asian tours before the promised lands of the United States and Europe ever come into view.

Tauranga professional Jared Pender, who will play more than a dozen tournaments and pro-ams across Australia and New Caledonia this year before a tilt at qualifying for the Asian Tour in early-2015, is attempting to do just that.

Sponsorship from EZGO, Puma and Titleist helps, but it was the prize money won in recent months in Papa New Guinea that has set Pender up for a good tilt at making the next step.

Life on tour is tough - Pender finished fifth at last year's Rockhampton Open in a field including multiple players who had started in majors - and the economics are only sustainable in the long term if you are contending.

Winnings in Australia are taxed at 33 per cent, and if not for a combination of friends, family and jockeys introduced through his father spreading from the east coast to the west, Pender estimates a week on tour would likely cost up to $2000.

He hopes strong performances in a string of tier two events will earn him entry into Australia's largest tournaments, where a hot putter on the weekend can open larger doors further afield.