Matt Millar's foray into the Japanese Golf Tour looks to have come to an end with the Canberran close to pulling the pin on his international career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The golf professional was meant to join the Japanese circuit earlier this year, but the global coronavirus pandemic put those plans on hold.
Regardless of whether the Japan Tour returns in 2021, travel restrictions and rankings will determine whether Millar can play.
Millar is resigned to staying in Australia, saying it'll be difficult to join overseas tournaments after the coronavirus-forced break.
"I don't see myself attending Japan next year," Millar said.
"I think just sitting out for so much tournament golf this year with the COVID situation, I don't see it as something easy for me to get back into next year.
"It won't be a case of retiring from tournament golf, but overseas, I don't really see myself heading overseas for anything."
Millar says he would only be tempted to play internationally if he was in a position similar to where he was two years ago.
"The only way... that could happen would be similar to what happened in 2018. I played really well [at the Australian events] and that got me a couple of starts that you normally wouldn't get, for those world golf events," Millar said.
"But a lot of stuff happened beforehand, a lot of great golf to be able to get yourself in that position. So outside of those sorts of things where you couldn't really knock back an opportunity like that, I don't see anything else."
With his overseas career likely coming to an end, Millar has turned his focus towards the Australasian Tour and his new coaching job at the Federal Golf Club in Canberra.
The 43-year-old, however, thought the Australian circuit might not be able to go ahead until at least next year.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
"As much as I would've loved to play a full season in Japan this year... unfortunately, that's not the case. So I think going into a teaching role here and waiting also for the tour to open back up in Australia, it should be a great combination," Millar said.
"I don't see that (Tour of Australasia) happening this year, I think it'll be into next year. But from here on, I think I'll just stick with the plan of doing my teaching at Federal and trying to integrate those events as well when they pop up.
"I think the times sort of come a bit to, with what's happened, to leave it as is and just stick to teaching and just playing here in Australia."
Millar has been an ambassador for the Federal Golf Club for nearly two years and says they were the perfect fit for him when considering a new role.
"I've seen the way that Anthony Sinclair, the general manager, and the Federal Golf Club board have been operating and I really like the ideas they've got with the club, it's quite progressive," Millar said.
"When I was thinking of maybe entertaining this, they were looking to advertise and put someone on in the near future."
While Millar doesn't have the pressure of playing on Tour, he's still on his toes teaching junior golfers in Canberra.
"With how golf is situated here at Federal, it's quite busy at the moment," Millar said.
"Just with the traffic going through here and with the membership and the requests for lessons,
"Golf here at Federal is on the rise. The clubs doing some great things and there's been an increase in membership here. So that's positive for everyone."