Pablo Larrazábal is looking to draw on positive memories on his return to home soil at this week's Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters as he bids to kick-start his year.
The Spaniard has struggled since the European Tour returned following the four month hiatus, with a tied 21st finish at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood his best result after the resumption.
But the five time European Tour winner will be putting his recent form to the back of his mind at Real Club Valderrama this week, where he has played well in the past.
He said: "It’s nice to be back. Nice to finally have an event in Spain. Nice to see a lot of faces that we used to see for many weeks back in the day. Now unfortunately we only see them for one week a year.
"It’s nice to be back in Valderrama. A dream course. The Augusta National of Europe. It’s nice to play a tough golf course and in perfect, perfect conditions.
"My game has probably been the worst two months of golf of my career. I’ve been playing very poorly.
"I’ve been making cuts but making them with a little bit of magic. Out of 18 rounds in the UK Swing, I probably played decent golf only twice.
"Coming in to Valderrama it’s different. It brings me a lot of memories, a lot of great golf that I played here, in front of my home crowds – obviously this week it will be different.
"I can’t wait to play golf with people again. It’s very different, sometimes very frustrating to hit a perfect shot and not hear any claps.
"But that’s the way this year has gone. The way the new normal is.
"Hopefully 2021 will be another story, I can’t wait to play with my people in the crowds, people cheering for me and all those people that I have met on the road over the years."
After securing his second European Tour title at the ISPS HANDA UK Championship last week, teenager Rasmus Højgaard admitted his achievement was still sinking in.
The 19-year-old Dane is back in action at Valderrama and is a big fan of this week's host course.
He said: "I feel pretty good. It was awesome to get my second win, it all happened pretty quick.
"It’ll definitely take some time for it to sink in.
"It’s hard to tell what has worked for me. I’ve played solid from the British Masters and kept my patience. That’s been the key for the UK Swing success.
"It’s an awesome course, in great shape, you’ve got to hit some good shots out here to make a score. It’s a lovely place.
"If you’re playing well you can make some big moves on the leaderboard, I’ve seen the winning scores here over the last few years. It’s not been 15 or 18 under par, it’s been around ten under par. If you shoot under par in any round, you’ve done well."
