Ian Poulter returns to the event that set him on the road to golfing stardom when he plays his first Italian Open in 14 years this week.
The Englishman was playing his rookie season after coming through the Qualifying School and had already achieved two top fives when he arrived in Italy for the penultimate regular event of the 2000 European Tour season.
His win in Sardinia that week would prove to be the first of 12 so far on the European Tour in a career that has also seen him play a talismanic role in four European Ryder Cup victories.
Much has changed since then, including the introduction of the Rolex Series, which brings an elite field and a seven million US dollar prize fund to Gardagolf Country Club this week.
The Italian Open was last held here in 2003, one year after Poulter's second win at the event and one before his last appearance, and the 42 year old is excited to be back on Italian soil.
"It's fantastic," he said. "Obviously my first victory many years ago now, when I look back, was one which kind of got it all started for me.
"I've always enjoyed playing in Italy. I won it two years later, 2002, in Rome. So for me, it's been quite a lot of time between 2004 and today, since last playing in Italy. I'm very much looking forward to this week.
"I think my hair's a bit shorter, I think I've got a few more wrinkles, I've got plenty of grey. So there's a big difference there.
"In terms of my golf game, I think I'm a better golfer today than I was 15 years ago. I'm mentally the same person, I feel fresh, I still feel young, I'm still young at heart. I have a lot to give in golf and, for me, the big difference is I'm definitely stronger in the mind than I was 15 years ago."
Poulter is back up to 27th in the Official World Golf Ranking after a run of form this season that has seen him secure top tens in Dubai and at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, and a win on the US PGA Tour.
My first victory many years ago now, when I look back, was one which kind of got it all started for me - Ian Poulter
Always a positive character, Poulter is now brimming with confidence and aiming for a big summer and Ryder Cup playing appearance number six.
"I think my game's in shape," he said. "When you look at my statistics and my current form from the start of 2018, I've played very well, played very consistently.
"Getting the win in Houston was a huge boost - to make the Masters, to set up this summer's golf - it is something which I'm pretty proud of, the form that I'm in is now about having a strong summer.
"It's about getting myself in position to make the Ryder Cup Team and really enjoy my family time. The family arrive tomorrow evening in the UK and they are going to spend about 11 weeks. So for me, it's great to be able to enjoy some family time, some fantastic weather and enjoy playing some good golf."
