Paul Dunne is confident his British Open rollercoaster last year has steeled him for a genuine challenge at Royal Troon this weekend.
The Greystones man shared the lead after 54 holes 12 months ago as an amateur, looking like he was ready to pull off one of the great sporting shocks before fading on the home straight.
He returns as a professional this time round, and believes he's in a far better place to cope with the intense glare of a Major spotlight should he find himself in a commanding position once again.
"I feel like I have the game, that when my game's on I can compete at this level," he said.
"Obviously there's a lot of people that feel that way as well. You never know until you're in the situation. I'd like to think I'd have a great chance if I put myself in that position again, but only time will tell."
Rory McIlroy had never played Royal Troon before he came to town last Thursday to get ready and after his practice round, you couldn't blame him if he never played it again.
Specifically, he might not want to play the Postage Stamp, the 123-yard, par-three eighth hole.
"I think I took an eight or a nine," he said. "Headed into the front right bunker and it took me like five or six goes to get out of it."
At least he got an idea of how to play the hole when things get serious on Thursday.
"Try to hit it in the middle," he said. "Even hitting it into the middle of the green is a good shot, and then take two putts.
"If you make four threes there this week, you're probably going to gain a bit of ground on the field."
