Inspired by the exploits of his countrymen on the Champions Tour, Brett Rumford admits part of him can hardly wait to turn 50.
The 47-year-old West Australian enjoyed most of his professional success on the European Tour, racking up six wins between 2003 and 2017.
In recent years, he's spent most of his time as a teaching pro at Wembley golf club in Perth.
But the lure of the over-50s senior tour is ever more enticing, especially with 2024 money list winner Steve Alker from New Zealand and a host of Rumford's Australian contemporaries, headed by Richard Green, enjoying so much success in the US.
Brendan Jones will be the newest Australian addition to the Champions Tour in 2025 after claiming the last available qualifying spot in December.
Jones will head straight to the US after the New Zealand Open and make his senior debut a few days after turning 50 in early March.
"It is inspiring - especially at my age as well," said Rumford, after shooting an excellent opening round of five-under 66 in the NZ Open at Millbrook Resort on Thursday.
"These guys are kind of like my era coming through now and they're doing so well.
"With the Australians, they've always done exceptionally well out on the senior tour, and now there are a lot more of them.
"I don't really want to wish time away but, as Brendan Jones said, who thought turning 50 would be so exciting?
"He's got his tour card and he's away and pumped for that next chapter of his life."
Rumford misread his tee time on Thursday, wrongly assuming it was 7.50am rather than 7.40am.
It necessitated a rush from the practice putting green to the first tee.
"I'm 47 now, so we do things at a slower pace," Rumford said.
"That would have flustered me I'm sure back in my prime, it definitely would have got on my nerves.
"I'd have blamed my caddie, would have blamed the world for it."
Rumford plans to play more on the Australasian and Asian tours in the next couple of years in preparation for his tilt at qualifying for the Champions Tour.
"I just want to stay in touch with it and keep playing ... just to have something on the horizon so I can be mentally engaged and keep my body prepped," he said.
"If it's just two years away and there's nothing planned, it's easy not to do anything."
