Simon Khan hopes his victory in the BMW PGA Championship will be a watershed moment in his career as he prepares for The Celtic Manor Wales Open at The Celtic Manor Resort.
The 37 year old will tee off tomorrow with the confidence of having pulled off a thrilling victory at Wentworth two weeks ago.
The win has now given him a chance to play in The Ryder Cup in October at Celtic Manor, the venue for his only previous The European Tour victory in 2004.
“By Wednesday last week it started to sink in - and then it hits you," said the man who last November lost his Tour card and had to make his 10th trip to the Qualifying School.
“I'm still taking it in, but I want it to be part of the journey.”
Asked about his expectations for this week's tournament he said: "That was the main thing I got out of Wentworth.
"I played a massive round like that without any expectations and I think that was the key to me winning.
"I remember Lee Westwood talking about it at The Open. When you are in contention your mind wanders ahead and to get it back on the round is easy to say, very hard to do - but I managed it.
“I didn't think, this is what I've got to do; I've got to play the next few holes like this. I just kept saying the only moment that matters is now really and just hit your shot to the best of your ability.”
What helped him to do it was a saying he read on the internet that week, “The will to win and the commitment to excel is more important than what occurs.”
Luke Donald lost out to Khan at Wentworth before taking top spot at the Madrid Masters and he is hopeful of challenging once again.
“I like the course,” said the 32 year old. “It has an American feel. It's in good shape.
“It's been a great run and hopefully I can have another good week.”
Welshman Rhys Davies is also enjoy some fine form of late and finished second to Donald at the Madrid Masters having claimed his first The European Tour triumph in the Trophée Hassan II in March.
The young man from Bridgend – who celebrated his 25th birthday last Friday – is hoping to carry that form forward.
“I think momentum is a very big word in golf,” he said. “It's definitely something I look toward quite often, both in stages of various rounds and stages of the tournament and also the season.
“I've played here the last two years. I felt I played quite well here last year. I think it does suit my eye, and I like some of the features. I like the way the water is incorporated but not overdone at the same time.”
