Laurie Canter believes the competitive practice he has been getting from playing with a number of his European Tour colleagues back home in England is one of the keys to his remarkable recent form.
The 30-year-old recorded his second runner-up finish and third top five since the restart when he finished a single shot behind champion Ross McGowan at last week's Italian Open.
Canter had been in contention to secure a wire-to-wire victory - and his first win on the European Tour - at Chervò Golf Club after following up Thursday's stunning 60 with rounds of 68 and 69, before finally being seen off by McGowan on the 72nd hole of the week.
Despite being understandably disappointed about falling just short in Italy, Canter was pleased with his performance and insists he is ready to throw himself into this week's inaugural Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open.
Canter stayed fresh during the European Tour's four month hiatus by taking on the likes of Richard Bland, James Morrison, Justin Harding and Jordan Smith at The Wisley Golf Club, and he thinks the competition that provided has helped him since the resumption in July.
"I was really happy with last week," said Canter. "Especially how I played Thursday and Friday.
"It was great to be up there all four days – a new experience.
"Still a bit disappointed not to get it done but, to be honest, I’m ready to throw myself into this week.
"I’m getting asked (why I’m playing well) a lot. I can’t put my finger on anything specific.
"I’m trying to play a bit more golf at home – a few more competitive games. I’ve joined a golf club with some of the other guys who play on Tour, which has been really good for me, having that competitive practice I’ve really craved when not on Tour.
"I’m members with Blandy (Richard Bland), James Morrison, Justin Harding, Jordan Smith – I played a fair few games with those guys when the golf courses were opening up.
"I’ve always led towards spending too much time on the range, but if you go out there with someone who will play well, it’ll test you and you can raise your own level.
"Apart from that, nothing radical. I’m trying to enjoy my golf more, which is easy when it’s going well. Just have a general, relaxed outlook in that way."
This week's venue is hosting European Tour golf for the first time and Canter has been impressed.
He added: "The facility looks unbelievable from what I’ve seen so far. I’m really excited to see the golf course.
"It looks like we’re going to have some undulation. A few up and down tee shots. The green complexes look really interesting as well. The resort is incredible. We’re very lucky to be here."
Canter's fellow Englishman Andy Sullivan has also been in fine form since the restart, claiming a sensational seven shot victory at the English Championship and recording three other top ten finishes - including joint third at the BMW PGA Championship earlier in October.
The 2016 Ryder Cup player believes the lay-off caused by the pandemic helped him.
He said: "I feel in the best place I’ve been in a long time mentally. I feel really relaxed again. I think lockdown did me the world of good.
"I went into it and was genuinely struggling – battling myself mentally with the goals I wanted to achieve. I wanted to win again and it was just getting in the way of playing good golf.
"I couldn’t stop doing that and realising how difficult I was on the golf course. I had a chance to win in Qatar and couldn’t get out of my own way to do that.
"When you go into a three month lockdown, that’s the last thing you’ve done and you know you’ve made a massive mistake, that didn’t sit well with me.
"I had to really think about who I am as a person and a golfer and didn’t like where it was going.
"It took a lot to dig inside, I talked to the psychologist day in, day out. It was almost a rebuild of what my brain wanted to do.
"It’s been great ever since and I’ve started enjoying the game more again. That’s massive. I’m happy on the golf course and you’re going to get the best out of me. The pandemic is probably the best thing that’s happened to me for a few years."
