Defending champion Lucas Bjerregaard hopes returning to the Dunhill Links can kick-start his season.
The 28-year-old Dane held off the challenge of hat-trick chasing Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood 12 months ago to claim the biggest win of his career.
The victory opened many doors for Bjerregaard, not least a first start at The Masters in April when he finished a respectable tied-21st.
But, by his own admission, he has been enduring a difficult stretch in the run-up to his title defence with his failure to make the weekend at last week’s BMW PGA Championship his 10th missed cut in 15 events.
He said: “I have fond memories from last year.
“I have not being playing great over the last couple of months so hopefully that can spark something.
“The win did a lot for my career.
“It got me into the top-50 in the world, into The Masters and some of the big events I have played this year.
“It helped a lot and came at a good time.
“It is great to be back. I have had a decent year but the last couple of months weren’t what I wanted.
“Hopefully some of the good memories from last year can spark a little something and get the game going.”
Bjerregaard admits he would love to emulate the feat of Dunhill Links specialist Hatton who won the event in 2016 and 2017 before finishing one shot shy of a play-off last year.
The Dane said: “I certainly wouldn’t mind winning it twice and being in contention the third year.
“That would be nice.
“I have not had loads of success on links but I love the challenge and imagination required around these tracks.
“Last year I was playing well leading up to the event and it all came together that week.
“I had some good chances to win in the events leading up to the Dunhill Links and couldn’t quite close it out.
“In this one, it looked like Tyrrell was going to win all Sunday and then it fell into my hands in the end.
“The conditions were tough, it was probably the coldest round of golf I have played.
“I played some great golf, hit some really good shots and holed some good putts down the stretch.
“Winning gave me a lot of confidence.”
The competitors are in for a tricky test at this week’s pro-am event, played across the Old Course at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, with wet and windy conditions forecast.
Bjerregaard admits escaping the round at Carnoustie without a competition-wrecking score and taking advantage of the plentiful birdie opportunities on offer at the other two host venues remains the well-trodden route to success.
He said: “The three courses are all a bit different.
“The Old Course has the history and it is special walking up those last few holes.
“Kingsbarns has some stunning views. I love that place.
“Carnoustie is a beast and a bit different to the two others.
“I’m not sure if I have a favourite. They are good in their own ways.
“I have a love-hate relationship with Carnoustie. It might be my favourite but it is also by far the toughest. I’m not sure why I enjoy that course so much.”
