Matt Fitzpatrick is hoping being high in confidence while having low expectations will aid his drive to complete a hat-trick at the Omega European Masters.
A two-time winner in 2017 and 2018, the Englishman arrives in Crans-Montana for a ninth appearance in good form as he plays his fifth event worldwide in as many weeks.
He recorded his second top ten in that stretch at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo last week and is counting on a philosophy he learned from putting coach Phil Kenyon being to his benefit in the Swiss mountains.
"It feels like my game has got better over the summer," he said.
"Particularly from where it was, I feel much happier with it and the direction it is going. So, obviously, that’s a big positive.
"It's just about maintaining that now and trying to make some more gains and keep climbing up the world rankings."
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After missing the cut at the Valero Texas Open in April, Fitzpatrick fell to 74th in the Official World Golf but since then he has made the weekend at each of his subsequent 14 starts worldwide, registering top tens at both The Open and U.S. PGA Championship.
Fitzpatrick appeared on track to win the British Masters for a second time - ten years after his debut title as a professional - before a closing 74 saw him finish in a tie for sixth at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
While there was inevitable disappointment, it was “a good week” for the 30-year-old and he is back on the cusp of a return to the world’s top 30.
"I think if they were two different tournaments, I don't think I'd be necessarily A, playing, and B, maybe playing so well, but I think these two tournaments are obviously very special to me," he added.
"This one even more so with my history here and relationship with the people here. It's always a special week so it helps get you through."
While he missed out on automatic qualification for Luke Donald's Team Europe Ryder Cup side, Fitzpatrick believes he has done everything in his power over recent weeks to earn a Captain's Pick on September 1.
"People are sick of it [but] managing my energy and managing my expectations has been the biggest focus, not thinking about ‘I need to get a result here for the Ryder Cup’," he said.
"That's probably helped my form in general. But also with it being so close to the picks now, my guess is Luke may have already made up his mind whether it's going to happen or not.
"So, this week might not be as strong a case as last week or the previous two or three weeks.
"So, I'm just going out here to try and win this tournament this week and then enjoy myself. So, I'll be focused on that."
