Golf: I love the pressure, says local Geary

Josh Geary is hot favourite to win this week's Carrus Open at Tauranga Golf Club. Photo / Getty Images

Josh Geary loves playing under the pressure as the man to beat.

The 29-year-old Mount Maunganui professional will look to continue his remarkable perfect winning record at the $40,000 Carrus Open this week at the Tauranga Golf Club.

"I like playing under that pressure of being the player to beat," he said.

"It helps me focus and rise to the occasion. Everyone is expecting me to play well and I want to perform well in front of my friends and family. I enjoy that and it brings out the best in me."

Geary is looking for confidence again as he will attempt to get back on the Web.Com Tour in 2015 by heading to the US Tour Schools with the first stage from October 7-10.

He has a busy tournament schedule coming up with four events on the PGA Tour of Australasia - his title defence at the WA Open, the Perth Invitational, Aussie Masters and Australian Open - which will all be punctuated by the three stages of the Q School.

"Hopefully, I can do enough to get on the Web.Com Tour, have a good year so I can join the big boys on the main tour the following year."

Geary finished tied 15th last week at the South Pacific Open in Noumea and is happy with his form.

"I have been working pretty hard on my game and I feel like it is all coming together. It is nice to have time at home with Jamie Kupa which I haven't had the past few years."

Geary said there are a few reasons why he has been so dominant at the Tauranga Golf Club.

"This course suits my eye. I feel really comfortable here obviously being on my home track. It is a course where you have to be accurate off the tee and you get a lot of birdie opportunities if you are good with your wedges from 20-100m out from the green. My driver and short game have always been strengths and that is a big reason why I have been able to play well here in the past."

The four-time Charles Tour winner is looking for title No5 to join Doug Holloway as the most successful player on the local series.

With the quality of the field, Geary expected a tournament record for four round scoring.

"I think you'll have to get it to 20-under par as a minimum to have a chance of winning so that is the number that I will be going for."

Charles Tour: Carrus Open

When: September 25-28
Where: Tauranga Golf Club