Byeong Hun An feeling like a rookie at 35 on DP World Tour Q School return

Byeong Hun An is channelling the memories of his rookie year as a professional as he hunts a return to the DP World Tour through Qualifying School.

Following a decorated amateur career that saw him become the youngest-ever winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship at just 17, the South Korean turned professional in 2011.

That same year, he came through two stages of qualifying to reach Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort and earn playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour for the 2012 season.

This week at INFINITUM in Spain, he is competing in the six-day tournament with a new perspective and a fourth-round 65 over the Lakes has him well placed to finish among the top 15 and ties and claim Category 18 DP World Tour membership.

“I am 35 but I feel like I am back in my rookie days when I was playing at Q School," Hun An told the DP World Tour after reaching 20 under to sit inside the top ten through 72 holes of the 108-hole marathon on Monday.

"Like everyone else, we want somewhere to play. That is why I am trying to grind out here. I don’t mind travelling, I have done it many years.

"We go to different places. Yes, it is a little harder right now because I am a little older but I am looking forward to it whatever will be in front of me next year.

"I have got two more days and hopefully I can finish it off.

"This is my fourth time playing Q School and hopefully I can finish in the top 15 and play a full season on the DP World Tour."

After further attempts to earn a DP World Tour card through qualifying in 2012 and 2013, Hun An became the first Korean to win on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2014 with victory at the Rolex Trophy in Switzerland as he finished third on the Rankings to graduate onto the DP World Tour.

Earlier that season, he finished tied eighth over this week's venue at the Challenge De Catalunya.

While Hun An admitted to not recalling any of the layout prior to signing up for this year's Final Stage, he hadn't completely forgotten everything as he correctly remembered the tournament was shortened to 54 holes due to inclement weather.

"I didn’t know that I had played here before, but when I got here, I saw a rollercoaster and I said to myself I might have played here.

"I remember they had to cancel a day because it was really windy."

A two-time DP World Tour winner, including becoming the first Asian to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, Hun An has mixed 27 birdies with seven bogeys through his first four days.

Now, having played both the Lakes and Hills courses twice each, action will solely take place across the Lakes and he is aware he will need to be at his best to stay among the leading performers.

"There are a lot of birdies out there, so I am trying to stay patient and make birdies whenever I can," he said.

"I know there will be a lot of birdies and guys will shoot low scores so I have got to keep the pedal down."