Matthew Southgate has been through things in his life that would prove to us all that golf is just a game - but the Englishman insisted he still had a fire in his belly on the course after putting himself in contention at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation.
The 27 year old has been on an emotional and stressful journey in the past 12 months but on Saturday will be followed by the biggest gallery of the day as he tees off alongside World Number Three and home hero Rory McIlroy at the K Club.
In July, Southgate was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to undergo an operation but he bounced back in spectacular fashion to claim the sixth card at Qualifying School and earn his European Tour playing privileges.
The tearful scenes that followed at PGA Catalunya Resort showed just what it meant to him and after a 69 in tough conditions at the K Club, he will now face the biggest round of his career as he goes round with McIlroy just three shots off the lead.
And while he admits that he has mellowed somewhat since his summer ordeal, he maintains the steely competitive edge that he has applied in his 47 previous European Tour events.
"I still get extremely angry with myself on the golf course, which I think is only natural," he said. "We play the most frustrating game that's ever been. If I hit a bad shot and miss the green and don't curse myself a bit, there's something wrong.
"But I'm dealing with it slightly better."
Southgate is looking forward to playing alongside McIlroy and all that comes with that on his home patch, but he insists he will stay focused on his own game as he aims to improve on his career-best finish of eighth in the 2013 Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa.
That will be an experience in itself playing in the circus that will follow Rory. I'm looking forward to it - Matthew Southgate
"There's a very good chance I'll just be shaking his hand on the first tee and going about my business, to be fair. I think if I get caught up in the moment of watching Rory and playing with Rory, it's not going to help my game.
"We'll probably just have lunch afterwards and have a chat then maybe."
Southgate's week was kick-started with an eagle on the 18th on Thursday and he carried that momentum with him, making five birdies in 13 holes in round two before two late bogeys stalled his momentum.
"I'd have bitten your hand off for it at the start obviously," he said. "I played some great stuff out there. We definitely got the wrong side of the draw there. I feel like the last few weeks on the Tour have been tough weather, so I think that's definitely helped coming in here.
"I think the last few weeks have helped with that, so I'm not surprised that I've played well, but I'm chuffed to be out there."
