Marcus Armitage was in relaxed mood after day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he edged closer to the result that could keep him his DP World Tour card for 2023.
The Englishman entered the week 125th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, knowing he needed at least one good event from the next four to get inside that vital top 117 and keep his playing privileges.
He followed an opening 66 at Kingsbarns with a 68 over the Old Course at St Andrews to put himself in good position for a second DP World Tour title, and revealed the atmosphere this week was helping him get back to something like his best.
"I'm really enjoying the golf," he said. "I've been getting a bit bogged down in results and been a bit emotional with it all.
"This week, being relaxed, I've got (amateur partner) Richard Bevan, who is from Manchester, so I can understand the language as well because we've got a funny accent. Just relaxing and hopefully we can keep this going over the next two days.
"It's been a good week up to now. Quite tricky today with the wind, cross wind and stuff but the more and more I play the Old Course, the more and more I love it. We're happy with the golf that I played today."
The 36-year-old has been a picture of consistency since the 2020 season, including claiming his first win at the 2021 Porsche European Open but he has missed 13 of 24 cuts in 2023 with just one top ten.
But golf is a game of fine margins and Armitage is hopeful he can have a strong end to the season after reaching out to his team.
"It's been a tough year for me," he said. "I've missed I think seven cuts by one shot.
"I've had a bad run in the last four weeks. I went back to my old swing coach at the back end of Wentworth, after missing the cut at Wentworth. Had a bit of chat with him. Not working full-time yet but he's given a bit of advice. He's gotten me to a place where I feel in a good place.
"And then doing a lot of work with Duncan McCarthy, my performance and mental coach on putting and everything. It's been a journey up to now, and a journey I'll continue tomorrow."
