Bernd Wiesberger hopes a return to home soil can help him rediscover his best form at the Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card.
The 30 year old Austrian, who won his national title in 2012 and has finished outside the top 14 just once in five previous showings at Diamond Country Club, has made nine cuts in as many appearances on the Race to Dubai this season.
But the three-time European Tour winner has not finished higher than 13th during that run, something he hopes to change this week.
"I wanted to be fresh for my home event so I had a couple of days off in Vienna," said Wiesberger.
"I used the time to play 18 holes here on Tuesday and had a good look at the course and what it's going to be like. I built that into my practice with my coach last week at home.
It was a nice half a week to relax and get ready for this run of events - Bernd Wiesberger
"Everybody – from the Swedish guys last week, the English guys at Wentworth – wants to play in front of their home crowds and also in front of family and friends.They will be here this week for me too in good numbers so that motivates you on top of the fact that it's your home event.
"I'm looking forward to it, hopefully the weather will be good for us and the course is in good shape so it's all set for a good tournament."
It is the start of an important fortnight for Wiesberger, who will contest his third US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club next week.
The World Number 47 believes he is set to enjoy some useful preparation in Atzenbrugg.
"I'm really looking forward to the US Open," he added. "It's kind of the first one I'll have played on a traditional US Open course. I played Pinehurst, which played differently to how it played back in 1999 and in 2005 when Michael Campbell won, because we didn't have much rough.
"Last year was in Chambers Bay where there was no thick rough either so this year it will be the first time it will have had tight fairways, firm greens and thick rough coming together so it will be a whole new experience in a way.
I think the promoters and the course director this week decided to try and go a little in that direction, to present a golf course that has more run – as much as we can get with the rain we had – and thick rough - Bernd Wiesberger
"So even though my focus is on this week, it's also great preparation for what's ahead in Oakmont. I'm expecting a tough battle over there but that's also the kind of course for which my game is well-suited."
