Jordan Smith is relishing the prospect of defending a European Tour title for the first time at this week's Porsche European Open.
The Englishman claimed his maiden European Tour crown with a play-off victory over Alex Levy at Green Eagle Golf Courses last year, beating the defending champion at the second extra hole.
And Smith is back with his sights firmly set on taking the trophy home with him once again, as a strong field assembles in Hamburg for the event's 40th anniversary.
He said: "I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously it’s a whole new experience for me, coming back to a tournament and defending it, so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.
"The win last year just gave me that boost of confidence. I had been knocking on the door leading up to the event and I knew it was around the corner at some point and it just came at the right time.
"It got me into the US PGA Championship and I had a good performance there so that rounded off the year nicely.
“Obviously the aim is get this trophy back again. I have a lot of good memories here and I like the course, it suits my game, so only good vibes and good memories this week.
“It’s a really long course. It played extra long last year with it being so wet, so your driving and your long irons have got to be on point and you have to take advantage of the make-able holes when you can."
Smith has fond memories of the 18th hole where he holed his ten foot birdie putt to set up the play-off with Levy 12 months ago.
And the 25 year old is expecting more fireworks at the par-five last again this week.
“The 18th is key for me," he added. "Obviously I have good memories of it but if you hit a good drive down there you can go for it in two, so it’s a risk-reward par five.
"It should be very dramatic there this year too and it’s a lot of fun."
Headlining a star-studded field is Masters Champion Patrick Reed, while fellow top-50 players Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau, Pat Perez and Charl Schwartzel will also battle it out this week.
Edoardo Molinari and Chase Koepka - brothers of Open Champion Francesco and US Open winner Brooks respectively - are also present.
The 37 year old said: "I’ve been playing steady over the last few weeks, missing a couple of cuts by one unfortunately, but my game hasn’t been poor this year at all.
"It’s been a difficult year scoring-wise but I’m looking forward to the second half of the season and hopefully getting some good results in and playing my way into the final Rolex Series tournaments."
