Having spent the morning at Cottesloe Beach, Van Pelt was relaxed and looking forward to teeing off in the tournament on Thursday.

“Last year I didn't get in until Tuesday late afternoon so I didn't get a chance to do any sight‑seeing,” said Van Pelt.   

“I've always heard good things about the beaches here, in Perth. I got to see one firsthand, and it was gorgeous.”

“I've had five or six weeks off, so I’m kind of itching to get playing golf again.”

Van Pelt says he has good memories of Lake Karrinyup Country Club having won in 2012 after a battle with countryman Jason Dufner.

“Last year when I first played the golf course, I really enjoyed it.”

“Jason and I had a good little battle on Sunday. I felt fortunate to come out on top.”

“I was excited to come back to a golf course that I have those good memories at. Hopefully I'll be ready to go by Thursday.”

This year Van Pelt is eyeing off a number of players in the field as his main competition.

“There are a lot of good players that are playing here.  Brett's obviously played well.  Branden Grace just played The Presidents Cup; Dustin Johnson is one of the best players in the world.”

“That doesn't even go into all the other guys that are in this field.  Whoever wins this week is going to have to play really well.”

With a high calibre field, Van Pelt will need to draw on all his advantages including his course knowledge of Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

“Obviously being familiar with it, it will probably help my preparation be a little bit more relaxed,” added Van Pelt.

“I do know where the holes go and I kind of have an idea on how I want to play the golf course.”

“I think it will just be kind of getting the speed of the greens down.  I've heard that they might be running a little bit faster than last year, and so that might change a few things.”

The ISPS HANDA Perth International commences on Thursday at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, widely acknowledged as Western Australia’s premier golf club.  It is the only Australian tournament to be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
 
With US$2 million in prizemoney, the tournament is Australia’s richest tour event and is proudly supported by the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS), and the Western Australian Government, through Eventscorp.
 
The ISPS HANDA Perth International is also partnered with premium brands including Volkswagen, Crown Perth, The West Australian, the Seven Network, Schweppes and TAG Heuer.
 
Tickets start at $44.  Children under 16 are free when accompanied by a paying adult and there are single day, weekend and four-day pass options available. Tickets will be available on the gate on each day of the tournament.
 
For live scrores, tee times and news from the ISPS HANDA Perth International please visit www.pga.org.au/perth-international