Beggars can't be choosers, according to Josh Geary, and right now he fits into that very category.

So that's why the South Carolina-based Tauranga golfer is prepared to ditch forging a career in the United States, for now at least, and look to Asia next year as he seeks fulltime employment after a 2012 that has brought him little joy.

Geary heads into the New Zealand Open starting today as the best performed New Zealander in each of the past four editions - including a third-placed finish last year at Clearwater despite battling his swing for the week, but with no current form to fall back on.

He had limited starts on the second-tier Web.com Tour in the United States this year - he only had conditional status - and didn't have any success.

He's lost any status in the United States for 2013 and is considering playing in Asia, or anywhere for that matter.

"I'm looking at Asian tours. It doesn't matter where it is, as long as it's competitive play. I want to play anywhere," he said yesterday.

"Who knows? A good week here and in Australia (at the Open and PGA) might change everything so I'm not too sure what's going to happen yet, so hopefully it's good.

"This year I haven't played more than two [tournaments] in a row.

"It's just not me. I need a bit of momentum going on.

"I think most guys do.

"If you take off time from playing it always takes some time to get back.

"No matter how you're playing, you've got to find your competitive game.

"I made a few changes at the start of this year actually and took a little longer than I thought to put them in play and a bit of a lack of events as well.

"Starts kind of cost me a good year."

Geary flew into Christchurch from the United States this week having failed in his bid to make the final stage PGA Tour qualifying event.

He's excited to be back home and confident of a good showing despite his lack of form.

He's been the best New Zealander in the past four open tournaments and finished third last year despite his swing problems and his view that Clearwater doesn't necessarily suit his eye.

The numbers tend to fly in the face of that claim, suggesting the $50 odds he was at early this week present good value.

Geary is certainly confident he can have another good week.

"I wasn't planning to play this event but in the end I played poorly last week and I can play this week and I love playing back on the home soil.

"It's obviously great and a proud achievement," he said of his recent record at the open, "but it'd be nice to actually make one of those a win.

"I still feel like I've got a good chance this week."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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