Brendan Steele admits it's been a struggle since running out the shock winner of last year's Valero Texas Open.
Californian relishing return to scene of finest hour
Brendan Steele admits it's been a struggle since running out the shock winner of last year's Valero Texas Open.
The 28-year-old Californian was playing in his rookie season on the PGA Tour when he tasted victory last year, holing a seven-foot par putt on the 18th at TPC San Antonio to win by a single stroke from Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman.
But since then Steele has managed just three further top 10s on the PGA Tour and most recently missed his third cut in a row after shooting 76-80 at Augusta on his Masters debut.
He said: "Winning in my rookie year was something that I never even dreamed that I would be able to do so it's a little bit hard almost to keep yourself, not motivated, but it's a where do we go from here type thing.
"I've been trying to fight through that, and I haven't had a lot of success over the last few weeks but I think that I've learned a lot.
"I don't think there's a lot wrong with my game. I think my approach has been a little bit off so I'm just trying to make that transition and start moving in the right direction."
Steele hopes a return to the event where he came of age can help him get back on track.
Awesome feeling
He said: "It's an awesome feeling to come back to this course where I have so many good memories. It's always going to have a special place in my heart. The golf course is in perfect shape and sets up good for my game."
Steele will tee off on Thursday alongside Kevin Na and Bud Cauley while probably the standout group features in-form Johnson Wagner, KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar.
It is certainly not a field overflowing with star names, which Steele believes may have something to do with the brutal nature of the course.
He said: "It's a really good course, a very big challenge. Some guys aren't going to like it but that's the way it is every week on Tour.
"It's so tough that a lot of guys are going to be walking away shaking their heads. I think it's a good test and it's a little different test than we see week in, week out.
"But I don't think there's anything about the course that's unfair, even when the wind blows hard. It demands really good shots and, if you don't hit them, you're going to pay the price."
