Bowditch will play through the pain barrier after breaking his hand two weeks ago, refusing to believe it has ruined his hopes of raising the trophy for the second consecutive year at Wollongong Golf Club.

Wearing protective bandaging on his right hand, Bowditch (pictured left) played in yesterday’s pro-am event and will tee off in the tournament’s first round this afternoon.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury when a valet accidentally slammed a car door on his hand, prior to the season-ending US PGA tour tournament last month.

‘‘If I wasn’t defending [champion], I doubt I’d be playing this week,’’ he told the Mercury yesterday.

‘‘But I’ve got to try and do my best. The doctor said it’s normally four to eight weeks, it just depends on how you heal, and it would be put in a cast.

‘‘But I’ve got to play, I can deal with the pain, it’s no excuse, I’ll just play on and see what happens.’’

Bowditch arrived in Wollongong on Tuesday after flying in from Los Angeles, after he finished 132nd on the US Tour money list this year, just outside the cut off for a full 2012 card. However, he has gained conditional entry, allowing him to compete in as many as 18 US Tour tournaments and will return to the United States for qualifying school in a bid to gain full entry.

It means Bowditch will play in the Australian Open and PGA, return to the US then back to Melbourne for the Masters in mid-December.

The broken hand has shortened his strike power off the tee, forcing him to put greater emphasis on his short game.

But he claimed his game has vastly improved after 12 months overseas and is in Wollongong to win the NSW PGA again.

Bowditch still finished tied for 16th at the season-ending US Tour tournament in Florida after breaking his hand, seven shots off winner Luke Donald.

Tour veteran Peter O’Malley - who won the NSW Open in the Hunter Valley last year - is another contender for the crown, as he prepares to take aim at an elusive Australian Open title next week.

O’Malley is a member of The Lakes, the host club for the Open and finished tied for 10th in the tournament two years ago.

‘‘I would like to get into some form to hopefully have a shot at finally winning there,’’ he said.

‘‘This week is about getting some confidence. I’ve never played the course before, but I think it will suit me.’’