BLAINE — Gary Hallberg can’t help but smile when he talks about how far he’s come in the past year.

Hallberg headed into this week’s 3M Championship fresh off a second-place finish at last week’s Senior British Open, his best performance since winning the 2010 Ensure Classic.

Between then and now, however, golf has been anything but easy for the 54-year-old. Hallberg fought injuries last season and finished 48th on the tour money list. He had to take part in the Champions Tour’s National Qualifying Tournament to earn back his exempt status for this season. This year, he’s already guaranteed a top-30 money spot, earning him full status for the 2013 tour.

Trusting his ability to belong with his best competition, practicing the power of positive thought, has been the cornerstone of Hallberg’s resurgence. He’s also become more adept at putting a bad shot behind him and looking ahead to the next swing.

“Confidence has been something I haven’t had like other guys, top players. I just kind of believe more and more,” he said Wednesday at the TPC Twin Cities course, north of Minneapolis. “I’ve also tried to play a little smarter and safer.”