Graeme McDowell continued to enjoy himself back on European soil as he got his bid for a third HNA Open de France title off to a sparkling start at Le Golf National.
The Northern Irishman is a two-time winner of this event and an opening round of 68 in tough, windy conditions left him just one shot off the lead heading into day two at the course that will host September's Ryder Cup.
McDowell has been named as a Vice Captain for Europe at the biennial spectacular but has spoken of his desire to force his way into a playing spot at a venue he knows so well.
His best results so far this term have come in Rolex Series events in Europe and he followed a tie for 12th at the BMW PGA Championship with a tie for fifth at the Italian Open recently.
The 2010 US Open champion is clearly feeling very much at home back in Europe and admits familiarity has played a part in his recent upturn in form.
“It's always nice to come back to a place where you played well, good feelings, good visuals,” he said.
“One of the important things of this golf course is something that Captain Björn, we have been talking about, it's just a level of comfort that you have to have on this golf course because it is a super intimidating track.
“You stand on the tee-boxes and all you can see is high rough and you have to be comfortable about where you're positioning the ball off these tees. Having been coming here for years and having some success here, I do stand on some of these tee-boxes and feel a level of comfort.
“Having come back to Europe and getting the Vice Captaincy and weight of the Ryder Cup being taken off my shoulders, I can come back here and free-wheel. It feels nice and I get the old feelings back that helped me become a Top 100 player in the world, helped me be a Top-50 player in the world and prepared me to win a Major Championship.
“This is kind of where I grew up and this is where I feel most comfortable and it's nice to come back and enjoy playing good golf.”
Andy Sullivan is another man getting back to his best form with no missed cuts so far this season and four tops tens in his last five events.
He joined McDowell in carding a three under 68 in Paris and the Englshman revealed he has some extra motivation this week after the recent loss of a loved one.
“I think it's close, today was up there with it,” he said. “I feel like I've gone through the tough times now and come out the other side of it and feel like I'm also improving on what I had before.
“It's nice, you know, nice to be back to form and going out there and just playing golf again. A little bit of extra motivation out there today with the loss of a loved one close but, still, got to go out there and do the job and hopefully do one for him this week.
“Any time you can shoot in the 60s around here, it's special. They get the course set up perfect every year. If you play well, you shoot a good score. If you don't, you're going to shoot a lot of numbers.
“I love coming out here. It's one of my favourite weeks of the year. Fans are great, golf course couldn't be set up better and I'm playing well, so it's perfect.”
