Shane Lowry tees it up this week at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to start a month that could define his 2021 Race to Dubai and his career.
The Irishman burst onto the scene at his home event 12 years ago when he won as an amateur and since then he has not looked back, claiming World Golf Championships, Rolex Series and Major Championship glory.
He will defend the Claret Jug in two weeks' time before adding another item to his list of achievements when he heads to Tokyo for the Olympic Men's Golf Competition.
And while the eyes of the world will be on Royal St George's Golf Club and Kasumigaseki Country Club, Lowry insists he is just as hungry to win this week at Mount Juliet Estate.
"I go into the Irish Open every year wanting so bad to win this tournament again," he said. "At the start of the year, you're looking at tournaments that you'd like to win and this is definitely up there with them.
"Obviously it would be amazing. I just want to give myself a chance. I just really, really would love the buzz to give myself a chance, and give what few people are here the chance to see me do something really cool again.
"It's nice being back home. No matter where you go in the world it's always nice to be home. Got home last week and got to see some family and friends at the weekend that I haven't seen since Christmas, so that was nice.
"Coming here to play the Irish Open is exciting. It's a tournament that obviously means a lot to me. It kickstarted my whole career with that invite I got here and winning it, so I probably do owe a lot to the tournament.
"It is nice to be here and it's nice to have some good weather down here in Kilkenny and hopefully that stays for the rest of the week and we can all have a good week."
Lowry also revealed that he has received all his kit for Tokyo, although he insists he is not going to the Olympics merely to be part of the occasion.
I go into the Irish Open every year wanting so bad to win this tournament again
"I think it's just pretty cool that I'm going," he said.
"Not that I want to put too much pressure on myself but I'm not going to make up the numbers. Like, I'm going to win a medal.
"We don't actually come home with that many medals from Olympics as Irish athletes. So it just would be really cool to win a medal. It would be amazing. It would be a huge achievement for me and my family to be involved in that.
"For me growing up, I never thought I was going to be going to the Olympics, so it's obviously new and it's going to be pretty cool."
