Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño is finally recapturing the form that saw him almost topple Tiger Woods three months ago.
The Spaniard, who took Woods to the final green at the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Tucson, resumes the ISPS Handa Wales Open on Friday two shots behind leader Lee Slattery at Celtic Manor.
And having come so close to a shock win the Madrid golfer admits it has taken him time to regain his confidence.
"I had a great opportunity to beat him, which would have been great," he said. "But I hit some awkward shots and I think my confidence went down a little bit.
"Since then I've kind of lost my swing, but hopefully this will be the turning point of the season."
Dizzy
Fernández-Castaño has played only four times since that Woods duel and has not had a top-50 finish in any of them.
But on a tough opening day at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue his two under par 69 yesterday was good enough for a share of fourth place.
Slattery, whose week began with him qualifying for a US Open debut, had German Marcel Siel and Dutchman Tim Sluiter right on his heels overnight.
Conditions were tough. Over 20 players did not break 80 and one, Singapore's Zhiqun Lam shot 92.
England's Gary Boyd had two sextuple bogey 10s in an 88, then quit, complaining of feeling "sick and dizzy".
Defending champion Alex Noren and Welsh hope Jamie Donaldson withdrew as well with back trouble after scoring 81s.
At the 2010 3 Irish Open Fernández-Castaño finished in third place, played at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, behind winner Ross Fisher and second placed, Padraig Harrington..
But last year the Madrid born golfer missed the cut on the same course after an opening round of 78.
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