Having nearly reached the primary goal of his pro career, Peter Whiteford went into a prolonged slump and it took a return to Wentworth to get him feeling optimistic again.
Fifteen events into his season, the Fifer has won just 27,000 euros and is outside the top 170 on the Race to Dubai, just a year after he almost secured his maiden Tour victory, losing a play-off in Korea to Brett Rumford.
However, only a couple of weeks after that he “lost it” and it’s only now he’s finding his long game again, managing to put together an encouraging two-under 70 at the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday.
“I actually missed a lot of chances, which wasn’t the sort of day I thought I was going to have,” he said.
“Recently it’s been aim and close the eyes with the driver, and I’ve no idea where it’s going.”
A year with a different swing coach didn’t work out and Whiteford has returned to Donald McKay his teacher since he was a junior, at the Wellsgreen range in Windygates, close to Pete’s parents’ home.
“It didn’t work out with somebody else unfortunately, but at least I gave it a go,” he said.
“It’s just the last eight months is as bad as I’ve played in my life.
“The problem is I don’t have a safe shot with the driver and it’s nerve-wracking like that; I suppose it’s pretty exciting sometimes, but certainly you don’t enjoy playing when that’s happening.”
He feels some light at the end of the tunnel, and there would be no better place to kick back into form than Wentworth, where he had a top ten finish in 2011.
“We’ve sorted out the irons so far and the driver’s on the mend, so I feel happier even if I missed a few more chances for birdies today,” he said.
Scotland’s leading player of the moment, Stephen Gallacher, also had a 70, playing with leader Thomas Bjorn.
“It could have been better but it was a solid round, as good as I have played for a while,” said the Ryder Cup hopeful, who has missed the cut in the flagship event eight times out of the last nine.
“I mis-read a couple of putts and hit a couple too hard but on the back nine I could have come back in a really low score.
“I think I was basically inside 10 or 12 feet for every hole in which is good.”
Celtic fan Gallacher got advance word of Neil Lennon’s departure at the gala tour dinner on Tuesday with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond at his table.
“He said we were looking for a manager but he wouldn’t tell me who,” he added.
“I think Lennon has done a great job. It is just unfortunate we have had to sell our best players.”
Craig Lee and Richie Ramsay are both well-placed after shooting two-under 70s compiled around the two and half hours of rain delays.