Matthew Baldwin hopes a return to a happy hunting ground can serve as a springboard to enjoy a sustained spell of form as he makes his first DP World Tour title defence at the SDC Championship.
The Englishman claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at St Francis Links in his 200th event with a seven-shot victory at last year’s edition to celebrate his milestone appearance in style.
While Baldwin believes he has produced plenty of good golf since that career-high, results have been hard to come, but the memories of his triumph in the Eastern Cape are bringing a special feel to the week ahead
"It's obviously something you always dream of winning on the DP World Tour and to actually achieve it at such a beautiful venue as well was special," reflected Baldwin.
"I mean, for me, I lived here when I was a kid. I don't remember much of it, but I always love coming back to South Africa.
"It's going to be a unique experience for me this week. Defending, never done it before. I can't wait."
Baldwin is making his eighth appearance on the 2024 Race to Dubai this week, with his best result so far a tie for 15th on South African soil at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
The 38-year-old, now into his eighth full season on the DP World Tour, married his partner Claire last month and is upbeat ahead of the first of two back-to-back co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour.
"It's been really good. I got married in January, so life off the course and things like that have been great," he said.
"Golf's probably not gone quite as I would have liked. I've been playing well, just not not quite getting the results I would have liked, which is obviously tough after winning.
"It's such a high then you obviously hit a bit of a lull when you don't perform the way you know you could."
While not a traditional links layout, the Jack Nicklaus-designed St Francis Links is a course that made a huge impression on Baldwin on his first visit.
And having been brought up on the links around Liverpool, England, Baldwin is looking forward to seeing if he can use his shot-making skills to good effect once again.
"You've got to keep it in play, fairways and greens are really important," he said.
"It's visually intimidating, so good ball striking is really important."
