Danny Willett was clearly enjoying being back with a familiar face on the bag in a city he loves as he made an excellent start to the 2021 D+D Real Czech Masters.
The Englishman has Jonathan Smart caddying for him again, the bagman with whom he won the Masters Tournament in 2016 before splitting the following year.
Willett's best friend Sam Haywood took over caddying duties and the duo have enjoyed plenty of success themselves, with Willett's best man from his wedding being on the bag for both of his Rolex Series victories.
But with the duo currently taking a break, Smart has been back on duty this season and saw his boss card an opening 68 at Albatross Golf Resort.
Two old faithfuls both on and in the bag this week for @Danny_Willett. #CzechMasters pic.twitter.com/GLihAczohd
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2021
"Me and Sam have been three, three and a half years now, and it just kind of got to that stage where... I wasn't playing that good and I think with Covid it's been a bit strange, basically staying with each other for the best part of 18 months," he said.
"We just said we'd have a break and a little bit of time apart and see.
"Fortunately at the same sort of time Smarty and Rasmus (Højgaard) were splitting so it seemed a real good fit.
"We've obviously done very well in the past and we still talk the same language with what we're going through with golf shots and still do our jobs pretty well.
"It seems to have worked out nicely so far."
We've obviously done very well in the past and we still talk the same language with what we're going through with golf shots and still do our jobs pretty well
Willett was not only with familiar company but in a familiar city, having finished in the top 20 in his two previous appearances at this event in 2014 and 2018.
He will also be teeing it up it at the European Masters and BMW PGA Championship in the next few weeks - both events where he has lifted the trophy - and the 33-year-old revealed familiarity had been a consideration when he was planning his schedule with wife Nicole.
"We wanted to play the events we like," he said. "Me and Nic spoke about it the other night, she said the same: look at where we’ve won, where we’ve played well, they’ve all been weeks where the golf course fits well and the place.
"During Covid that’s been tough, you’ve not been able to see the city that you like. I was really excited to come back. Prague is an amazing place.
"Then go up to the mountains next week, it’s a place I’ve always enjoyed and the same for Wentworth."
The Rolex Series event at Wentworth Golf Club will be the last time points can be earned to make the Ryder Cup team and while Willett admits he may be relying on a pick from captain Padraig Harrington, he is eager to put his name in the frame.
"It’d be amazing to be on the team, it’d probably have to be with a pick this late on," he said. "Nice to play good golf, regardless.
"This year hasn’t been great with everything that’s happened. Padraig has been texting, encouraging with the ups and downs with Covid we’ve had.
"He’d like a couple of guys who have been on the team before to play well this next month and push themselves into his picks. We’ll have to see. One round out of many isn’t much to go by but it’s nice."
