Adam Scott has an extra spring in his step ahead of this week's WGC - Mexico Championship after beginning 2020 in the same way he finished 2019 - win a win.
The 39-year-old claimed his 11th European Tour title when he recorded a two shot victory at the Australian PGA Championship on home soil three days before Christmas.
And after taking a prolonged break, the 2013 Masters Tournament winner returned to the winner's circle in his first event of the calendar year at last week's Genesis Invitational on the US PGA Tour, where he bounced back from dropping three shots in two holes on the front nine to card a closing 70 and win by two strokes.
Scott said last week's victory had given a noticeable boost to his confidence as he prepares to take his place among a star studded 72 man field, which includes defending champion Dustin Johnson and World Number One Rory McIlroy, at Chapultepec Golf Club.
"It's very satisfying," said Scott, who now sits seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking. "I think any time you win it's incredibly good for your confidence.
"I felt that at the end of last year - I won the Australian PGA in December. And even in a funny way today, just hitting a few balls on the range, I felt more confident today than I did even hitting balls on the range on Sunday in Riviera.
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— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2020
6⃣0⃣ Sergio Garcia
6⃣0⃣ Lee Westwood
5⃣9⃣ Phil Mickelson
5⃣6⃣ Adam Scott
5⃣2⃣ Paul Casey#WGCMexico pic.twitter.com/AaSICLGZTc
"It just gives you that little bit more self-belief in all the things that you need to do, and even the way I struck the ball today I think showed that there was a lot of confidence and self-belief standing over the ball to swing the club.
"It's funny, it's kind of immeasurable, and it's hard to fake what that win can give to you.
"Sometimes you can but it does mean a lot. Certainly for me, I've always kind of based my success of my career on winning tournaments.
"My game is obviously in good shape. I think the challenge for everyone coming here this week is just dealing with the altitude, mostly with how far the ball is going to go and who can manage that the best.
"It's very difficult even with just a couple of days of practice and playing the golf course to really dial that in completely.
"Certainly when you're trying to hit maybe a knock-down shot - it's going to be a bit tricky and you're going to have to accept a few mystery balls, I think, this week.
"But overall, a bit like I felt last week, if there's enough good stuff in there, I think my game can hold up to that."
Sweden's Marcus Kinhult is playing in his first ever World Golf Championships event this week.
The 2019 Betfred British Masters winner is relishing the prospect of taking on the world's best players.
He said: "I think it will be a lot of fun this week, obviously I've been looking forward to this event since I got in.
"It's my first WGC so playing against these guys is nice, to see where your game is at and how you can compete.
"I came here earlier than normal, late Saturday so I had Sunday to just walk around and get to know the place a little bit.
"I'm happy to be here at 23, that's nice, but my goals are set higher long term and I'm just trying to reach the next level and improve every day.
"But I'm happy with the progression so far and I look forward to what comes next."
