Simon Dyson has raced across the globe in an attempt to secure his place in the European Ryder Cup Team.
The 32 year old Englishman flew overnight from Chicago to London after his 12th place finish at the USPGA Championship, then caught another plane to Prague and a train to Ostrava for the Czech Open 2010.
Dyson is 16th in the race for places in Colin Montgomerie’s side with two events to go - and he will be at both at them.
Victory at the Prosper Resort in Čeladná on Sunday would almost certainly take Dyson into the top nine qualifying spots.
“Last week was the best I struck the ball for four straight days ever and I'm going to give it my all now to try to make the side," Dyson said.
"This might be the best chance I ever have of winning a Ryder Cup cap and Whistling Straits has given me a massive boost in confidence. I didn’t miss a drive all week. My three woods were good. My irons were good.
“I can’t wait for the next two weeks. If I hole a few putts I will be contending in both of them. It’s very exciting.
“And after the course I've just played the Czech Open one is going to feel so much easier.”
Dyson came 17th in this tournament last year, finishing nine strokes behind Swedish winner Oskar Henningsson.
Ross McGowan, who has suffered from wrist and shoulder problems this summer, is another to make the journey to Čeladná in a bid to secure the top-four finish that would book his spot in the European Ryder Cup Team.
Last season’s Madrid Masters champion and Dubai World Championship runner up has not had a top four finish all year, but he is going through the pain barrier - with the help of strapping and painkillers - in a last ditch bid to be force his way into the reckoning.
“I almost didn't play in Akron (the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational) and the same with the PGA," he said. "On Monday and Tuesday I didn't hit balls and Wednesday it was just a few.
“It was good to make the cut considering, but by Sunday it was pretty tired. It's very frustrating and gutting and for my long term career it probably needs rest.”
The race is not over yet either for Oliver Wilson, another Englishman who earned his first Ryder Cup cap under Sir Nick Faldo in Louisville two years ago.
Wilson has still to achieve his first European Tour victory, but a first or second place now would put him in with a chance of retaining his place ahead of next week’s trip to Gleneagles for the Johnnie Walker Championship.
Swede Peter Hanson has also not given up hope - he needs to win in the Czech Republic to have any chance of qualifying - while Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez, who currently sits eighth on the table, is keen to make sure of his place on a course he co-designed.
“It is a very natural place as you will see," he said. "It is in great condition. It was much firmer last year.
“You need to play straight on this course and be able to play from the fairway.
“It would be great to win a tournament and to have another victory, especially on (the) first course I designed.”
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