Australian golfer Kim Felton says he’s back swinging pain-free after being sidelined for six months with a crippling back injury.

The 37-year-old, who was diagnosed with a degenerative L4-5 disc in his spine last year, will tee off next week at the GS Caltex Makekyung Open – the third event on the 2012 OneAsia schedule.

“After a lot of rest, a few cortisone injections and many hours of pilates, I am now back swinging pain-free for the first time in a long time,” Felton said on Tuesday.

“My game is fresh having not played for a long time, and I feel like I’m heading in the right direction, aiming for another win on OneAsia.”

Felton missed the cut on his first return to competitive golf at the Volvo China Open last month, but he’s hoping to recapture the form that led to his win at the Midea China Classic in 2010.

“That week in China in 2010 I putted really well and had a clear mind,” he said.

“To get back to that level, I need to focus on consistency, get a few putts dropping and have a clear mind with good thoughts on the course.”

Felton said a shift away from the more technical aspects of his game and continued support from his wife Gemma have allowed him to be more mentally prepared.

“My only goal is to keep doing what I’m doing as I know I’m on the right track,” he said.

The 31st GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship begins on May 10.