Søren Kjeldsen is looking to use his tie for seventh at the Masters Tournament as a springboard for a successful season after experiencing "an amazing week" at Augusta National.
The Dane made his first Masters appearance since 2010 after a brilliant 2015 season saw him reclaim his place in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking with a win at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and eight other top tens on The European Tour.
Kjeldsen was 340th in the Official World Golf Ranking after the season's first Major Championship last year but is now up to 41st thanks to a second top ten of the 2016 campaign.
The 40 year old went 69-74-74-71 this week to secure a place in the top 12 and an invite to Augusta next season, and he is relishing the chance to return after his excellent performance in Georgia.
"I played really well," he said. "I made great putts and hit a lot of quality shots all the way round. All the way up to 16 where I had a great chance I am right in the tournament. Two soft bogeys after that kind of took me out of winning but it was great to finish with a birdie ion the last.
It's been an amazing week. One of the best I have ever had. Finishing in the top ten can't make it my best week ever but it's right up there. I have loved it - Søren Kjeldsen
"I think after six years of not being here and wondering if I was ever going to get back, that made me realise that once I was here I was going to enjoy it. Then to come here and play as well as I have has just been a great feeling.
"The atmosphere was just electric this week. The roars among those tall trees, it's just like nowhere else. It's amazing.
"The whole family has just had an amazing week. My son was the star of the par three and we have just loved every minute of it. The first thing I asked in the recording area was 'how many do you invite back next year?'. My son mentioned it to me this morning and he is usually good on his facts but I wasn't sure. It turns out he was right."
The result at Augusta means Kjeldsen has yet to miss a cut so far this season and he is now looking to turn made cuts into wins with The Race to Dubai to compete for and a Ryder Cup on the horizon.
"The last couple of months have been a little slow," he said. "We always talk of needing a big week and it felt that coming here.
"Now all the big tournaments are coming and this will give me so much confidence. I am doing the right things and I know that – I can just go and enjoy my golf and try to win some big events.
"It was like a bonus being here this week. I felt absolutely no pressure this week. I just enjoyed playing a part in a thrilling tournament."
