Thomas Bjørn is delighted to be back competing in his home country as he looks to carry some encouraging signs from the US PGA Championship into the Made in Denmark.
Bjørn finished in a tie for fourth at last year's inaugural event at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort as more than 80,000 people flooded to see the first European Tour event on Danish soil in 11 years.
And the 44 year old admits playing at home ranks only behind a Major Championship as he seeks another strong showing in Farsø.
"It's probably only the Majors that get you more excited than playing here in Denmark," he said.
"Playing in your home country is special and it's a week you look forward to.
Thomas Bjørn
"It's an important event for all the Danish players, and hopefully we can grow it so it becomes an important event for all the players."
The 2016 edition of the Made in Denmark will be played a week later as it serves as the final event in the Ryder Cup points race and Bjørn, who has been part of three victorious European teams, is hopeful the tournament can go from strength to strength.
"The tournament has done really well," he said. "Last year was a great success and hopefully we can continue that success in the future.
"I've spoken to the guys who are running the event, and it's important to keep improving and keep making new things happen to keep the interest up. They are very well aware that that's the way we're heading."
He added: "It's a good date change to have it as the last counting event for the Ryder Cup next year.
"It's very close to the summer holidays here right now, which makes it a bit awkward for some people. Moving it back a bit is a good move."
The 15-time European Tour winner has yet to record a top ten this season but registered two rounds in the 60s at Whistling Straits last week after setting the pace early in the first round.
Bjørn's finish here last term was one of seven top tens, including a win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, and he is hoping that he can bring some of his positive showing in Wisconsin back over the Atlantic.
"I'm feeling alright," he said. "I had a couple of good rounds last week.
"I've been playing quite poorly over the summer, so it was nice to take a couple of positive steps last week, so hopefully I can transfer some of that into this week."
Another man itching for a good week in Farsø is defending champion Marc Warren who held off the challenge of Welshman Bradley Dredge to win the tournament over sometimes testing, windy conditions last year.
It was the Scot's third European Tour win - his first in seven years - and after recording two top fives in his last five events, he is eager to experience that winning feeling again.
"As a professional golfer we don't often get the chance to defend a title - winning doesn't happen as often as in other sports - so there was never any doubt I'd be coming back here," he said.
"I'll be trying to retain the title - I don't want anyone else's name on that trophy."
He added: "Two of my last four or five events I've had top four finishes. The two in America were top 30 and 40 something. So my form is good.
"The last two events were on really tough courses, so it's a slightly more gentle test this week.
"It's just about getting over the fatigue because I've played a lot of golf in the last few weeks and done a lot of travelling."
Warren will tee off at 0820 on Thursday alongside home favourite Søren Kjeldsen, who is playing in his 501st European Tour event this week, and former European Number One Robert Karlsson.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open champion Kjeldsen finished in a tie for 15th here last year and is delighted to be back for what he sees as a unique experience.
"It's brilliant, it's something to really look forward to," he said. "Last year no one really knew what to expect, but we all went away saying how great an event had been.
"You really want to do well, but you have to work around those expectations and pressure. It's fun and nerve-wracking at the same time."
He added: "I've never played a tournament like it before.
"I don't think I've ever smiled so much on a golf course. We golfers tend to get a bit serious when we play, but I just couldn't help myself smiling all the way round last year."
