Bernd Wiesberger admitted he was still learning from Padraig Harrington after spending the first two days at the 2021 BMW International Open in the company of the Ryder Cup Captain.
The Austrian is very much in the mix to qualify for a debut in the biennial spectacular at Whistling Straits later in the year, but a 67-68 start at Golfclub München Eichenried with the skipper in close proximity will also have done his cause for a potential pick no harm.
Wiesberger insisted, however, he had probably spent more time watching Harrington than the three time Major Champion had watching him, taking in the attitude that makes you a European Number One.
"I’ve played plenty with him," he said. "He’s very competitive and tries his hardest out there, even though he wasn’t quite on it this week.
"But you can see, all of a sudden he makes a couple of eagles and you see it in his eyes. He was very focused on what he was doing.
"Hopefully the odd shot I hit over the last two days maybe stayed in the back of his mind - not so much the last three wood into the par five.
"At the end of the day, we’re still trying to compete out here, he has his stuff figured out off the golf course and results will hopefully determine who will be on his team.
"It was a pleasure playing with him. A lot to take from his demeanour out on the course."
Wiesberger's eight European Tour wins leave him seven short of Harrington's tally but they have all come in the last nine years, with two Rolex Series triumphs among them.
The 35-year-old made five birdies and a single bogey to get to nine under after two days in Munich, and he believes he knows where to improve if he wants to claim a second victory in a month after his triumph at the Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA.
"The score is alright," he said. "Little spells of giving away shots today at the end and in the middle of the round yesterday, which I felt was unnecessary.
"I was kind of in control, I didn’t feel like I was shooting on all cylinders.
"I’ve been struggling with the pace on the greens, I have to say. Not quite getting the ball up to the hole, I felt like we all did that in the group.
"All in all, it’s a good start, a good position. I’m looking forward to pushing on and having a nice weekend."
Another man aiming for a Ryder Cup debut in September is Viktor Hovland, and the World Number 14 carded a 67 on day two to join Wiesberger at nine under.
Making a move 📈
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 25, 2021
The World Number 14 is just one back.#BMWInternationalOpen pic.twitter.com/9PHJzEw9lp
"The biggest difference today was that I was able to not hit it in the water," said the Norwegian, who found water three times in round one.
"I made some bogeys here and there but at least they came from poor shots, a poor chip and a putt instead of hitting one in the water and taking a penalty shot. It was pretty solid.
"I think I just need to play very similar to what I have been doing. The big key is to not have any penalty shots. There is a lot of water and spots if you get a little too greedy you can end up hitting a decent shot into the water, which you can’t do it here.
"Just play pretty solid, hit a bunch of greens and hopefully I can keep putting well."
