Rafa Cabrera Bello insists the good scores are "right around the corner" as he prepares to tee it up on home soil at the 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.
The 37-year-old first played in his home event in 2002 but had his best result in the last staging two years ago when he finished second to countryman and now World Number One Jon Rahm.
That result moved him to 34th on the Official World Golf Ranking but he has not been that high since, currently sitting at 231st.
With a Rolex Series event among his three European Tour wins and a Ryder Cup appearance under his belt, the Spaniard clearly has the game to get back to the very highest echelons of the sport, and he believes patience is the key to achieving that ambition.
"It's been a hard two years," he said. "Obviously I've dropped down a lot on the world rankings and the scores haven't been going the way I want.
"There have been some moments where I've really felt a little lost and not understanding why. I don't feel like that right now.
I know my game is much better, I know I'm hitting the ball much better and I know the good scores are right around the corner
"I know my game is much better, I know I'm hitting the ball much better and I know the good scores are right around the corner.
"I just have to be patient, it's something I hate to do but that's the only way, just be patient, keep working, keep working on building my confidence again and trusting myself and I know the scores will come."
Cabrera Bello is currently the seventh highest ranked Spanish player in the world behind Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Road to Mallorca leader Santiago Tarrio, Adrian Otaegui, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and Adri Arnaus.
And the man from Gran Canaria is delighted to see that the game in his homeland is in good health.
"Spain currently has the World Number One player, I think it is really hard to beat that," he said.
Playing at home this week 🇪🇸
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 5, 2021
Spanish players in the Open de España field gather for their traditional photo-call.
#AccionaOpen pic.twitter.com/9MsDfqfVB4
"Spain always has found a way to have players at the top. Jon is there and he's there to stay for a while.
"Sergio never gets old and hopefully I can get my game to how good it was a few years back.
"There's new guys coming and I think the future is looking good.
"I always enjoy a lot playing in Spain. I always feel the support of the crowd, Madrid is one of my favourite cities and the fans always come out in big numbers here so you always feel the love and their encouragement.
"I have good memories from a few years back and (hopefully) I can find it within me to play my best golf.
"I've had some success in the past in this event, it has a special place in my heart and hopefully I can lift the trophy some day."
