The 36-year-old set some lofty goals but deep down she was unsure what to expect.

Having returned to Australia and set up camp at the Newcastle Golf Practice Centre at Shortland, Southam was determined to get back into playing and made her return in November last year.

"It's actually gone a lot better than I thought," Southam said.

"My only goal when I started playing again was to make it into the Masters.

"They told me I wouldn't make the field for the Australian Open and I was fine with that because all I was focused on was the Masters.

"It's the best tournament, on the best course and all the big-name players come back for this one, so it should be great."

Making the Masters was at the top of the list but there have been other benefits. She is now ranked inside the top 50 on the ALPG money list and this week joins Tuncurry's Sarah Kemp, Nikki Garrett from Magenta Shores and Belmont's Polly Travica for the New Zealand Open.

New Zealand's top women's event starts on Thursday at the Pegasus Golf Course in Christchurch and offers almost $320,000 in prizemoney.

France's Gwladys Nocera is the defending champion of the tournament that is now co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the ALPG.

"It was certainly difficult after not playing professionally for five years," Southam said.

"My game has been steady without actually taking off, or finding the 'A' game, as they say.

"It's different going from playing socially to playing with people you caddied for over the last five years."

Southam said working with Rick McLean at the centre has helped her game by putting into practice what she had been preaching all week.

"Working with Rick is fantastic," Southam said. "He's the best coach that I've ever worked for or worked with.

"It was a good decision to come back home and I love being in Newcastle because it's got everything that I love.

"There is no doubt Australia is the best place on Earth."