Robert Rock hit the high spots in Holland this week when he shot a 66 to snatch the first-round lead at the KLM Open at Zandvoort.
And, following his success in last month's Open Championship, the young man from The Belfry admits it is his deserved reputation as one of the bigger hitters on the European Tour that has helped transform his summer.
But he will have to prove his short game is equally up to snuff when he heads to Nailcote Hall next week to defend his British Par Three Championship title.
Rock was the winner when the event was last held at Nailcote five years ago (pictured) when owner Rick Cressman's private back garden lay-out was the annual stage for what was then known as the 'Short Course' Championship.
After a few years away from the local golf scene, during which time the event was scrapped, Cressman has rediscovered his enthusiasm and opened his door again for the two-day 36-hole event on August 22 and 23.
He has put up a £25,000 prize fund that has attracted golfers from all over the country and Rock heads an impressive cast list.
Interest locally was so high that a qualifying competition for Midland golfers was held last month and a blank week on the European Tour calendar, thanks to the USPGA Championship, means many top golfers and Ryder Cup players are expected to add their names to a field that already also includes another former winner in Peter Baker, Roger Chapman, David Lynn, Bernard Hunt and Mark Mouland.
Mouland missed the cut in Holland on Friday, an event for which he earned an invitation as a former winner, but the former Nailcote professional was in fine form in the early part of the week.
Showing a handful of local journalists around the charming but alarming miniature course he knows so well, Mou-land brought a smile to his face by landing a rare hole-in-one.
After the main two-day event is over, there is also a Pro/Celeb-Am charity event the following day, as part of a three-day festival of golf at the Berkswell course.
That will feature such personalities as Bob Champion, Dennis Waterman, Bev Bevan, Willie Thorne, Dennis Taylor and Andrew Ridgeley.
Ticket details are available from Nailcote Hall on (02476) 466174.
