Former national champion John Senden hopes his decision to do an old mate a favour and play a &apossecret&apos round at Royal Sydney will give him the jump-start over rivals at this week&aposs Australian Open. Senden took up an offer from Royal Sydney general manger Paul Hinton to play in the club&aposs annual Presidents-Captains day two weeks ago, re-acquainting himself with the layout where he won the 2006 Australian Open after an unforgettable birdie-birdie finish. The Queenslander was reluctant to reveal what he shot in his &aposcovert&apos round but admitted he felt right at home at the testing Rose Bay course. “It&aposs exciting to get back there to play after winning and a good feeling knowing that you can do it around a golf course,” Senden said. “I thought I&aposd stop in (two weeks ago) and play the golf course and check it out and re-familiarise myself.” “The course was great. It wasn&apost tournament-ready but it had beautiful grass, the greens were looking great and it will be perfect by the time we play.” “There&aposs only one change which is the second hole the fairway traps have been brought out five or 10 yards on the left.” “The rest is the same so it should be a good test again.” Senden heads back to Royal Sydney in good touch after finishing equal sixth in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum He followed his opening round 69, with 70, 71 and an eye-catching 68 to finish with 278, four strokes behind winner Geoff Ogilvy. “I&aposm feeling good about myself and my form going into Royal Sydney and hopefully I&aposll be knocking on the door at the end of the week,” Senden said. “That&aposs what we work hard for to try and get ourselves in the position and gain more experience with that feeling and hopefully the door will open up again.”