Daniel Gavins is hoping to rediscover his form on a happy hunting ground as he makes his first DP World Tour title defence at the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by Aviv Clinics.
The Englishman enjoyed a stunning Sunday 12 months ago as a bogey-free 65 saw him come from seven shots back and take the title at the innovative event played at Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Massereene Golf Club.
The event is tri-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour, with separate male and female tournaments played on the same courses at the same time and for two equal prize funds of US$1.5 million each.
That gives the week in Northern Ireland a special feel and Gavin admits that this part of the world will now always be special to him.
"It feels really good," he said. "I was just walking around a few holes and I was remembering shots that I hit last year. It’s nice to be back.
"That has not happened before because it was my first win. It’s nice coming into the entrance and seeing all these posters up.
"It worked well last year with the two events. It’s a positive and it gives the women more media and exposure, so it’s good."
Gavins' win was his first top ten on the DP World Tour but he secured his second at the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, while another at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa in March gave him a bright start to the new campaign.
His momentum has stalled somewhat as he has failed to make the weekend in nine of his last 11 starts but the 31-year-old feels his best stuff is not too far away if he can start enjoying his golf again.
"I started the year really well," he said. "I made eight of the first ten cuts. The last few months has been a hard struggle really. I haven’t quite found it on the course.
“I’ve been playing nicely and last week I felt like my game was really nice. I just need to stay patient, but it’s hard in this game. You just want to do well every week.
"I just want to enjoy it again. I’m not enjoying it as much as I was at the start of the year. I think that’s the main thing for me, coming in and enjoying it a bit more, taking away the pressure of doing well, taking each week as it comes and keep it going that way."
