Marcel Siem returned to the scene of his professional European Tour debut and matched his lowest round of the 2019 Race to Dubai on day one of the Mutuactivos Open de España.
After a stellar amateur career that saw him represent Germany twice in the Eisenhower Trophy, he turned professional in 2000 and first teed it up in the paid ranks on the European Tour at the 2000 BBVA Open Turespaña Masters Comunidad de Madrid.
In the years that have followed he has claimed four European Tour titles and won the World Cup alongside two time Major Champion Bernhard Langer, but it all started with a top 20 finish in the Spanish capital 19 years ago.
"It was pretty cool on Tuesday coming down here and those memories, it was nice," he said after carding an opening five under par 66.
"I played decent as well - a 21-year-old on a tournament invitation - it was great, I've got great memories and I love this place."
The 39-year-old lost his playing privileges last season and has three made cuts from 15 events this term but believes following the lead of his World Cup winning partner could pave the way back to his best.
Channelling your inner Seve 👌@SiemMarcel #OpenES pic.twitter.com/U0jpbDEsBj
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 3, 2019
Langer has achieved incredible success throughout his career with a long putter and Siem has returned to the longer stick himself as he looks to regain his card for 2020.
"It was tough the last two years and I've played actually better and better all year, my putting has just dropped my confidence low all the time," he said.
"My putter let me down and I'm back on the long stick now and rewarding my good shots a little bit so that helps.
"I won two tournaments when we were allowed to anchor with the long one so I'm used to the long stick.
"I had a look at Bernhard's technique and he's rocking the shoulders a bit more and I was using my arms too much, that's why I took it inside all the time, so that helped me. I found that out last week and that helps me a lot, it's very comfortable."
