Muirfield posed one of the sternest tests in Open Championship memory last week, and while many may want to wipe the experience from their memory, Steven Tiley is excited about the lessons he has learned ahead of his return to action at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.
Spending a week surrounded by the greats of the game has clearly opened the Englishman's eyes, and he comes to Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil confident that he now has the secret to playing his best golf going forward, as he looks to earn a European Tour card come the season's end.
The Englishman currently resides at 19th on the Challenge Tour Rankings, after a tie for second at the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts in June his best finish so far in 2013, but he believes there is more to come, having had a taste of what is on offer at the game's biggest championships last week.
"The top guys are just so comfortable in their own skin," explained Tiley. "They're not worrying what everyone else is doing, they just get down and do what they do, and play their own game. They know it is good enough, they believe in it, and I think that's what I need to do to get to the next level, be me, and not get fazed by that.
"You definitely pick stuff up from the better players, you'd be foolish not too, they're the best players in the world, and that is what I aspire to be. Just their whole demeanor, and talking to them, they are just so comfortable in what they are doing.
"They dont try anything that might work, they know what does work, and they just keep doing it, and that's what I learned. Everyday I'm just going to try and play my game, and if in 20 years it is good enough, then it is good enough, and if not, then that's all I can do."
Quite a philosophical approach, but if it aids the Kent man in realising his best form then it can only be a good thing.
Having spent the previous few minutes ramming six footers into the back of the cup, there was an air of confidence emanating from Tiley as he spoke, and it would be no surprise if he were to go well this week in France, as a result.
He said: "It is like being back to the day job really this week, I'm a little bit tired, and my priority is to get a bit of rest. It was a long week last week, lots of emotions, and that always takes it out of you.
"Week's like last week help a lot though, it gives you that confidence the next time you are in a good position, that you've been there before, and to prove to myself that my game is good enough. I didn't play that well at Muirfield, don't get me wrong, my game was good, but i didn't play my best golf so i can take a lot from that. I'm therefore looking forward to this week and the rest of the year.
"The next step is to finish in the top 15 on the rankings, but you just have to take it week by week. Any week can change things, you can make big jumps out here if you play well or win."
Tiley therefore has his priorities clearly set out, and in his opinion, this week at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil should make for some exciting scoring.
At the Open Championship pars were the name of the game, but Tiley is confident that it will be back to birdies and eagles this week on a much softer French layout.
He said: "The course is good, it's quite short, and the greens and fairways are quite soft compared to last week.
"I would have thought the scoring would be good, it is quite accessible out there, and the course is there for the taking. Not sure how low it will be, you can never tell, but there will be a certain few players it will suit more than others, and if they get it going they will go really low.
"I'm getting to the point now where I hope every golf course will suit my game. It is not as tight, and the rough is not as penile as I would have liked, so I just need to keep playing my game. That's the key."
