It might be a different venue but, nevertheless, Lee Westwood will be hoping that lightning can strike twice when he defends his Deutsche Bank -SAP Open TPC of Europe title this week at St Leon-Rot in Heidelberg.
Twelve months ago the Englishman travelled to the Gut Kaden course in Hamburg at a low ebb but rediscovered his touch in sensational fashion, coming from behind on an enthralling last day to overtake World Number One Tiger Woods and win the title.
It provided the launch pad for Westwood's glorious season as he went on to win five more times in Europe on his way to dethroning Colin Montgomerie and claiming his first victory in the Volvo Order of Merit.
This year Westwood's attentions have been taken away from tournament golf by the arrival last month of his son Samuel Bevan. But with the build-up to the Ryder Cup beginning in earnest now, the Englishman admitted he is keen to get back in the swing of things, starting in Germany.
"Last year I had been working very hard and getting nowhere which was very frustrating but it is slightly different this year because I've not worked very hard and I have other things to occupy my mind.
"But I don't panic so much any more. I have a son and I'd like to think I'm a better player than I was a year ago because I've got an Order of Merit under my belt and seven more tournament wins worldwide."
It will take a concerted effort from Westwood to retain his title because the field assembled in Heidelberg is once again a high-quality one, topped off by the appearance of Tiger Woods, his third season in a row competing in Germany.
Woods won the last time the tournament was played at St Leon Rot on his first visit to a regular European Tour event, leading from the front before eventually closing with a 15 under par total of 273 to beat South African Retief Goosen by three shots.
"The Deutsche Bank - SAP Open TPC of Europe is a tournament that I have greatly enjoyed in the past and I am very excited to return to St Leon-Rot," said Woods, who found a staunch supporter for his decision to tee up in Germany from the man he beat into second place two years ago.
Said Goosen, "It is good to have the World Number One play worldwide and in addition to that he is just about the only top American player I know that plays across the globe on a regular basis so, as I said, it is nice to see him support different Tours and not just the US one."
Dr Rolf-E Breuer, spokesman of the Board of Managing Directors of Deutsche Bank AG, agreed, saying: "It is a special joy that Tiger Woods will play. As a long-standing partner of golf we are happy to be able to present the best golfer of our times to the audience in Germany and Europe."
Of course the appearance of Woods also gives the chance for European Tour players to go head-to-head with the World's Number One and prove he can be beaten, just as Thomas Björn did over four rounds in the Dubai Desert Classic in March.
