Xander Schauffele reflected on his 2022 Genesis Scottish Open victory as "a big win for my team and myself" as he returned to The Renaissance Club to take his place in a star-studded field at this week's event.
The American arrives in Scotland in sensational form, having won his maiden Major title at the US PGA Championship in May and recorded ten other top-ten finishes on the PGA TOUR since 2024 began.
Prior to claiming his first Major Championship crown at Valhalla Golf Club two months ago, the World Number Three's last trip to the winner's circle came at this event, and he has fond memories of that week.
Schauffele said: "Yeah, that was unique. I was coming off no wins, similar to what just happened.
"I didn't win for a couple of years. I was able to win stateside, and then to travel over here straight after and win again, it was really cool.
"I was super proud and it's something I'm still proud of, just to be able to win, of course, but also in a completely different country is a really tough thing to do and a testament to sort of consistency and good game planning.
"So it was a big win for my team and myself, and those back-to-backs are important."
The 30-year-old is relishing being back on Scottish soil and playing in front of local crowds.
He said: "I love coming here and I love coming overseas, playing across the pond and slowly acclimating myself and yeah, just excited for the week.
"There's just an appreciation. Not that all fans don't appreciate golf but there's a deeper appreciation here.
"They know what a good shot looks like. Like when you hit 140 yards from the pin, they know when that's a good shot and they clap, and that's always nice."
This week's tournament is the second of five Rolex Series events on the 2024 DP World Tour schedule and provides the ideal build-up to next week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Schauffele is well aware of the differences between The Renaissance Club and many of the courses he is used to playing in North America, and he is hoping to be able to adjust quickly.
When asked what he is looking for this week, he said: "Overall acclimation. Hitting the putts a little bit harder.
"When you're playing chips, trying to position yourself on holes, even though you're short-sided, as long as you're into the wind, you have to start thinking that way again.
"And then the lag putting is really hard. You'll be on the front of the green and the pin will be on the front, and you have 50 feet, you pace it off, and you're like 'dang'.
"Whereas back home, pin to front of the green you have 15 feet or 18 feet. Getting used to those small things."
