Thomas Pieters has a new perspective on golf after recently becoming a father and he is hopeful it will pay dividends in the final round of the 2020 ISPS HANDA Wales Open on Sunday.
The weather at The Celtic Manor Resort on day three would be enough to drive anybody to distraction, with glorious sunshine changing to high winds and torrential rain and back again several times throughout the day.
None of that seemed to bother big hitting Belgian Pieters, however, who carded a 69 to sit four shots off the lead heading into the final 18 holes.
The four time European Tour winner welcomed daughter Florence into the world last month, and he believes that has helped him cope with anything the golf course can throw at him.
"I guess I’m going to blame my daughter," he said.
"I’ve been quite calm this week even though in this weather you hit bad shots and you just have to accept it. I haven’t done mental work in my off time but it’s being able to be chilled about things.
“Maybe being a father has mellowed me a little bit but, like I said about my caddie, we try to enjoy ourselves on the golf course, make a lot of jokes.
"It’s been good so far and obviously when you’re playing well it’s easier. But it’s going to challenge me in the next few months and years."
While the conditions in Newport may have been a challenge, Pieters insisted he relishes the battle with the elements and was looking forward to more of the same.
“I do love those conditions," he said. "I much prefer this week to last week, although it’s not always fun when you play in this kind of weather - taking your rain gear off every five minutes.
"But I enjoy the challenge of it, it’s much nicer than just a birdie-fest or a putting competition.
“Hopefully it’s going to be windy again and then if you just post a good score anything can happen."
