The 45-year-old left-hander is making a return to the game after more than two years out following injury and surgery, choosing to make his competitive return at the New Zealand Open, a co-sanctioned event with the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.
Wilkinson, a former leading amateur, turned professional two decades ago, joining the Nationwide Tour in 2005 and progressing to the PGA Tour in 2008, where he had a meteoric start, finishing third in the Zurich Classic and runner in the Texas Open.
The Florida-based kiwi, who has mixed his professional life on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours, has been hampered by injuries that have tested his resolve.
His knee issues have been the most debilitating, rendering him unable to swing or workout without pain, choosing to get a full repair done, which has required extended time out. Worse, his surgery delayed five months because of a covid spike in his home city of Jacksonville.
“I’ve lost a lot of muscle and strained an abductor which caused a lot of inflammation for a long time. And there’s no muscle regrowth nor mobility,” said Wilkinson, who has always prided himself on his fitness regime.
“I’ve worked hard on recovery although I still do not have full mobility back by any means. But I need to get going if I want to keep playing. I can do regular activities but not hit balls to the amount required.
“Coming back to the New Zealand Open was an opportunity to come home – it’s been five years – and an opportunity to play competitively.”
He has not played in the New Zealand Open since 2019 and he was tied for 11th 2018.
Wilkinson has not played the revamped and extended Millbrook Resort course, and is putting no pressure on himself next week.
“I could be pushing it slightly but I just have no idea how I am going to play. I can hit all the balls I want but until I tee it up in a tournament, I have no idea. It will be a good baseline to see how I am playing.
‘’Four rounds in the 60s would be good. Play solidly and be composed but I am not getting ahead of myself. But the drive is still there to play at the highest level.’’
The field of 156 players will be looking to claim their share of the $2M NZD prize purse in the 103rd New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport starting on Thursday 29 February at Millbrook Resort, Queenstown. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sport 6.
