Paul Casey is set for an emotional homecoming this week when he tees it up at the BMW PGA Championship for the first time in five years.
The Englishman played in the European Tour's flagship event for 12 consecutive seasons from 2002 - winning it in 2009 - but his history with Wentworth Club goes back further than that.
Living in nearby Weybridge, he used to come and watch the event as a youngster but much has now changed, not just since he was a child but since his last appearance in 2013.
Not only has the event become part of the prestigious Rolex Series - with a prize fund of seven million US dollars - but several changes have been made to the West Course and Casey cannot wait to get back out and have a look at his old stomping ground.
"It has a special place in my heart," said the 40 year old, who also won the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth in 2006. "I can't explain how cool it is.
"I vividly remember standing on the 12th in the trees on the right-hand side with Seve about 15 feet in front of me hitting - looked like a one iron - but cutting a long iron out of the trees off the dirt up on to the green. That, and then Constantino Rocca almost hitting a scoreboard on the left by the putting green once, hitting a snap-hook. Things just stick in your mind.
"With my past successes around this golf course, the quality field, its stature in the world of golf is so important to me, and the fact that it's home and it's where I grew up, right around the corner in Weybridge. So this event is really one of the main reasons why I became a professional golfer, coming down here and watching Seve and Lyle and Woosie and Langer and all those guys when I was a kid growing up.
"I've won twice around this great golf course. I've not seen the changes, heard wonderful things. Seen the stature of this rise, even in the last couple of years, how it's grown now, the Rolex Series. It's got all the attributes for a great week. I'm genuinely excited."
Casey recently had to pull out of the Players Championship on the US PGA Tour due to a back problem and while he admits his preparation has not been the best, he is not worried by his injury.
It has a special place in my heart. I can't explain how cool it is - Paul Casey
"I've had MRIs, had all the scans done. I'm on some fairly good - as my friend put it - weapons-grade anti-inflammatories which had taken effect.
"I think I'm in a really good spot but I haven't hit any golf balls. Last time I hit golf balls was last Friday and there was still pain on Friday but we've done a lot since then.
"If I'm not the worst-prepared player here this week, something's wrong. I've done absolutely nothing which is going to make it a slightly interesting week."
Casey's countryman Ian Poulter will be making his 15th BMW PGA Championship appearance this week but his best finish in the event was tenth back in 2012.
That was the same year he won his last European Tour title but with a recent win on the US PGA Tour, the 42 year old believes this could he his time to shine in Virginia Water.
"I'm looking forward to the week," he said. "It's been a good start to 2018 for me and it's set up what's going to be a great summer, being able to come back, spend a good chunk of time in Europe is really nice.
"It's a golf course I haven't had the results on through the years. It's been extremely disappointing from my side not being able to force a decent finish. So with the form I've got right now, I would like to think I'm coming in in the right frame of mind to be able to go out there and play well this week.
"I need to attack this golf course in a slightly different way. I think I need to be more aggressive all around and put myself on the board as early as I possibly can and enjoy being in the UK for the relatively short time that I do have here, to be able to go out and have some fun and play some good golf."
