Justin Walters was happy to be making the most of his second chance at the Amundi Open de France as he fights to keep his card in one of the toughest seasons of his career.
The South African knows a thing or two about battling his way to the top on the golf course, having graduated from the European Challenge Tour and twice come through the Qualifying School.
He narrowly kept his playing privileges last season but this term he has had to cope with injury troubles and the sad loss of his father in the summer.
Walters opened up about his grief after firing a stunning opening 63 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship but he failed to make it to Sunday in Scotland and initially withdrew from this event after a disappointing weekend at the Mutuactivos Open de España.
A closing 65 at last week's Italian Open re-lit the fire, however, and the 38-year-old was refusing to feel sorry for himself after an opening 67 left him just two shots off the lead at Le Golf National as he looks to move up from a precarious 121st on the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex.
"Putting golf in perspective, I think that's been the hardest thing for me," he said.
"I'm not trying to dwell on my sorrows and what I've been through but you almost felt like, what else could go wrong?
"After I started playing well, I felt like I almost deserved some good rounds and the game should give it to me.
"I was just in a bad place after Spain and I withdrew out of this event and had a chat with a few people that just helped put things in perspective a little better for me.
"Sunday in Italy was a massive moment for me, I think I jumped a big hurdle there. To come here this week with the same kind of mindset is obviously showing dividends.
Putting golf in perspective, I think that's been the hardest thing for me
"The hard part is keeping it up and going but to be signing rounds in the 60s again is just a wonderful relief.
"It's lovely to uplift my family with some good golf and myself and just everyone around me, so it's nice just to play good golf again.
"You look up and see a ball go in, you pick up a tee and the ball is going on the fairway. It's been soothing and long may it last. I know it won't last for a long time but it's just nice that it's happening again.
"I'm just trying to finish the year out strong and see where that puts me. Where it does, I'll just keep going. That's kind of where I'm at now."
