Canberra golfer Matt Millar gets his shot on the Japan Tour

The Canberra golfer returned home this week after a draining 108-hole, six-day qualification mission at the the Central Golf Club in Ibaraki.

Millar finished in a tie for 29^th, but moved down to 32^nd on a countback after finishing the event at 14-under par. The winner, Min-Gyu Cho, finished at 35-under par.

His ranking will give him entry to three or four of the first seven tournaments of the 2020 season.

If he performs well and secures enough prize money it will pave the way for him to play in more events.

Millar sacrificed playing at the Australian Open in Sydney for a chance to qualify in Japan, where fellow Canberran Brendan Jones already spends most of the year.

"There's a real chance after the re-ranking to advance up and then keep going," Millar said.

"If I can go up, or even hold my position, I might get six more starts straight away. If you can progress through that, you could get to the end of the year.

"So it's definitely not all doom and gloom. I'm viewing it as a good opportunity and now I have to take that opportunity. Looking forward, it's an investment in the future. If I can get those three starts and play well, I can cash in for more. So I'm happy I went."

Millar will switch his focus back to the Australian tour next week ahead of the Australian PGA Championships in Queensland for the final tournament of the year.

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He says missing the Australian Open was worth the chance in Japan, and his dodgy back has been able to withstand the travel demands of the past three months.

The 43-year-old has been plagued by back pain for most of the year and needed injections to allow him to continue playing.

Being pain free and his solid performance in Japan has convinced him he can be a contender at one of his favourite tournaments of the year.

"I went a long time without a birdie, it was just like the ball wouldn't go into the hole," Millar said.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball well ... I like the course up at the PGA. Hopefully I can change that luck and hole a few to continue on with last year's good form there."

The timing of the PGA has been pushed back this year to accommodate for the Presidents Cup in the schedule.

That suits Millar, who was keen to make sure he was available after he was in contention for a win at the event last year.

Third-placed Millar finished five shots behind eventual winner Cameron Smith, while Marc Leishman was three shots ahead in second place at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.

Smith will be aiming to defend his title while Adam Scott is also in the field, with both set to back up after their International team duties in Melbourne.

"I'm feeling good. I could feel my back at times a couple of months ago, but I haven't had any of that lately. It's just a matter of how long it lasts," Millar said.

"I still have to keep an eye on it and stay on top of it to improve it, or at worst maintain where it's at." Major winner Stewart Cink will also be in the PGA field for the opening round on Thursday.