Robert MacIntyre is hopeful that being a "happy golfer" can propel him to a strong finish to the season as he enjoys yet another stellar campaign on the DP World Tour.
The Scotsman currently sits 15th in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, having never finished lower than 23rd in his four seasons on Tour and after being a career-high ninth in 2021.
The 26-year-old has followed up his victory at the DS Automobiles Italian Open last month with two top tens in his last three starts and arrives at this week's Portugal Masters with a spring in his step as he looks to close out the season on a high.
"It’s been a bit of everything," he said. "I’ve put in a lot of hard work in the last four or five months - setting a standard for myself in everything: gym work, practice, once I have a good round or a bad round, it’s resetting. Setting a standard for myself and a level of performance.
"I’ve started hitting the ball well in the last wee while. Getting that win helps with confidence but I’m back playing golf the way I used to play golf, with a smile on my face, enjoying what I do and it helps. A happy golfer is a good playing golfer.
"You go out there and see what you’re given. I’ve put in hard work at home. You come here to perform, it’s like any other sport. You’re in the arena, once you’re out there you can’t really do much about it. It’s about letting it happen and trying your best. If it’s good, it’s good. If not, you go back to the drawing board.
"I’ve set myself goals. Most recently I’ve changed them because of what happened in Italy. Again that’s a by-product of good golf.
"I’m doing the right things. The process is good and that will all take care of itself. There’s nothing I can do other than try my best and play good golf."
MacIntyre is also seeking revenge on the layout this week, after Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course got the better of him over the weekend in 2021.
He entered round three at two under before a 74 was followed by a closing 82 - his highest round on Tour by two shots.
"This place wasn’t kind to me the last time I played it," he said. "That’s the reason I’m back, to prove a point to myself.
"The mental side of the game is so important. It wasn’t a good tournament for me, but then I finished well last year in Dubai.
"I like the course, I like the layout. The weather hasn’t been kind to this place recently, so the course is a bit soft, but it’s the same for everyone."
