Two-time winner Matt Fitzpatrick returns to Switzerland this week with the knowledge that his Ryder Cup fate is in his own hands.
The World Number Eight, who became the first player since Seve Ballesteros to win back-to-back titles at Crans-sur-Sierre in 2017 and 2018, has the opportunity to overtake Tommy Fleetwood and earn the final place on the World Points List if things go his way in the final week of Ryder Cup qualification.
While there are six players who can end the week in the final spot on the European Points List, Fitzpatrick is the only player who can affect the outcome of the World Points List, requiring a tie for seventh or better to earn automatic entry into Team Europe for the third time in his career.
The added element of Ryder Cup qualification comes with considerable pressure, but given Fitzpatrick's history in this event, it's little surprise he is pleased to be in Crans-Montana for the first time since 2019.
In just his second trip to this venue, Fitzpatrick finished one behind winner Danny Willett in 2015, just a couple of months before his breakthrough victory at the British Masters.
A year later he finished in a tie for seventh, and in 2017 earned his fourth Tour title, defeating Scott Hend in a play-off. He successfully defended his title in 2018 in another play-off, this time over Lucas Bjerregaard.
Reflecting on those victories, Fitzpatrick said they were wins that were incredibly important to the development of his career trajectory.
"Delighted to be back. It's obviously a great golf course," said Fitzpatrick.
"Obviously, like you say, had success here and love being here. So looking forward to the week and getting it underway.
"It's crazy to think how long ago they are now, but for me, I feel like there's been, well, there's a lot in there. I feel like there's a lot, obviously both with playoffs, all the good put to make the playoffs all the good put to winning the playoffs. So yeah, there's been various different things in it and I just feel like I just really enjoy being here more than anything and I think that's what helps me play better and definitely don't feel so stressed.
"I think they definitely propelled me, they gave me confidence to be better, to play better out here and I think that was a big thing for me getting used to this level and getting used to playing with the people of week in, week out and sort of understanding how their game is compared to mine and where I might need to improve. So those wins at that stage of my career were definitely very important."
This week, the opportunity to match Seve and become the second player in the tournament's history to win three times is a prevalent one, but it's the Ryder Cup that is at the forefront of his mind.
"I can make sure that I'm on that team with a good result this week and that's what I'll be focused on," he said.
"There's no doubt about that. Fortunately, it's a place that I've played well before, so it's nice to be here.
"That's always a goal at the start of the year when it's a Ryder Cup year, you want to be on that team wherever they're playing and you want to be part of it. Hopefully I can do that this week."
Matt is joined in the field this week by brother Alex Fitzpatrick, whose successful season includes a maiden victory on the Challenge Tour, a runner-up finish at the ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics, and a tie for 14th at last week's D+D REAL Czech Masters.
Earlier in the year the duo played together in the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic, and in July Alex was the one who got the better of his elder brother during his Major debut at The 151st Open: He finished tied 17th, while Matt ended his week in a tie for 41st.
And while previously Matt had stated that going toe to toe with Alex for a title would be his 'worst nightmare', he admitted that since his brother is currently second on the Road to Mallorca rankings and all but secured his DP World Tour card for next year, he's not feeling quite as bad about that prospect in this event.
"I don't feel like I need to let him win now," he said.
"I feel like he's pretty much wrapped his card up, so I can definitely go for the win. But, I'm happy for him. He's been playing well recently so he deserves to be here and I'm sure he is looking forward to it."
