Tommy Fleetwood is delighted to be back at one of the DP World Tour's great events as he looks to turn some recent consistent play into an eighth DP World Tour title.
The acciona Open de España presented by Madrid is the place where it all started for the DP World Tour, with Antonio Garrido lifting the trophy in 1972 at the first event ever played on the then European Tour.
Fleetwood is a man who knows his golfing history and has picked up some fairly prestigious silverware himself, winning the Open de France in 2017 en route to claiming the Harry Vardon Trophy.
And he arrives at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid fully aware of the history around him.
"It's always such a beautiful feeling when you come back to Europe and in a city like Madrid at a golf course like this," he said.
"Historical event, great golf course, great European city. Feels good to be back and playing this event.
"I think it's everything that's great about Europe and this tour. It's an old event, it's a beautiful trophy.
"Excited to be here and test myself and playing with so many familiar faces from the over the years. So many great things about it."
Since winning the Dubai Invitational in January, Fleetwood has finished third in the Masters Tournament, claimed a silver medal at the Olympics and missed just one cut but he is still hungry for more success as his season reaches a close.
"I think you never know what's around the corner in the game," he said. "One of the things that I've been sort of disappointed with this year: I played really, really well and I've played at a high, consistent level but I've always been half a step behind, if you like, from contending on a Sunday.
"I'd love to have been up there just a bit more but that can change at any given time and I think as long as I keep doing the things that I believe in, I'm sure that can change.
"A win could be around the corner at any time."
Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry echoed those sentiments as he prepared to make his debut at this layout and first appearance at this event in over a decade.
The Irishman won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Rory McIlroy in April but would love to add a seventh DP World Tour win to his CV.
"I feel like I've been all year, I'm playing pretty solid and having some nice results," he said. "But at the end of the day I'm out there trying to win and get myself into position to win.
"I feel like I've done that quite a bit this year but I obviously haven't knocked one off yet on my own. Helped Rory over the line at one stage.
"I would love to, I've got four tournaments left in the season and my main goal for the next four tournaments is to try and get a win.
"Obviously this would be a great week to start. You look at this trophy, you look at the names, to add your name to that would be pretty cool."
