Aaron Pike back home for edition five of Palmerston’s $70,000 NT PGA golf tournament

Australian golf focusing on Palmerston Golf Club this week when the 54-hole $70,000 NT PGA is decided

Aaron Pike in action at the Australian Open. Picture: Steve Christo.

AARON Pike knows a breakthrough win at his hometown NT PGA will be a tough task.

The 34-year-old professional is back on his home course for the fifth edition of the $70,000 tournament at Palmerston Golf Club.

“Winning this week is certainly the plan, but it won’t be easy with the quality golfers up here to win the tournament,’’ Pike told the NT News.

“There’s been nothing happening, in golf around the country so it will be great to play in a tournament with a lot of good golfers in the field.

“Hopefully they haven’t been sitting on their backsides getting fat.’’

Pike played in a club tournament at Palmerston on Sunday and was impressed with the state of the course.

“It’s in the best condition I’ve seen it since I left the Territory,’’ he said.

“Scotty (Palmerston Golf Club greenkeeper Scott Trembath) and his team have the course looking great.

“He knows exactly what he’s doing and for me he’s a diamond in the rough for Territory golf.’’

Pike said an October tournament was ideal for course preparation.

“It’s a better time of year to play the tournament, it might be warmer, but the course is always in better condition this time of year,’’ he said.

“So hopefully they can move the event to a time when it’s more applicable to having the course in its best condition for tournament play.’’

The 78-player field for the three-day tournament that hits off on Friday will contain some top-line golfers.

Reigning champion Brett Rankin joins winners on the European, United States and Asian tours in the Top End for the first major tournament in Australia this year..