Matt Wallace was delighted to keep learning as he started the defence of his BMW International Open title with a 69 at Golfclub München Eichenried.
The Englishman lifted the trophy last season at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof and is playing the famous layout in north east Munich for the first time.
Luckily, caddie David McNeilly has been over the course many times in his long European Tour career and is on hand to help Wallace negotiate the 18 holes.
A new course is not the only fresh thing in Wallace's game at the moment, after he made additions to his backroom team and spoke ahead of last month's Betfred British Masters of looking at the "bigger picture" in his game.
He finished second at Hillside Golf Club and since then has had a top three at the US PGA Championship and top 15 at the U.S. Open where he played alongside World Number One and four time Major winner Brooks Koepka in the third round.
Wallace is currently at a career high of 24th on the Official World Golf Ranking and leads the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex, and is happy to keep learning and evolving as he propels himself to ever greater heights.
“I’m very impressed with how Brooks Koepka plays and how he controls his emotions," he said.
"My proudest moment ever on the golf course was with him last week. I was two over, not playing well, controlling my emotions after being three over through nine but then eagling the last to shoot level par and keep myself in the tournament.
"I was proud coming off. I learned a lot that day.”
I have to play my own shot and take responsibility. That’s what I’m starting to do and starting to learn - you can’t blame anyone else - Matt Wallace
On Thursday's round that contained four birdies and a single bogey, he added: “I didn’t take advantage of the par fives and I was in good shape on most of them - so I’m a little disappointed there.
"I’m getting over a little bit of jetlag so the intensity wasn’t quite there but it wasn’t bad.
“I’m taking into consideration what my caddie says out there but, ultimately, I have to play my own shot and take responsibility. That’s what I’m starting to do and starting to learn - you can’t blame anyone else.
"I thought I controlled my emotions today well, so I’m happy with that."
