David Howell took a one-shot lead into today's second round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open targeting more than his second European Tour title.
The 28-year-old won the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999 and has finished second four times since, including in the inaugural event here in 2000.
He has also enjoyed three top-10 finishes so far this season and currently lies 12th in the Ryder Cup qualifying race, just two places outside an automatic place in the European team which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills in September.
"It is nice to know if you can pull a win off, while not guaranteed to be in the team, it is there to be shot at," said Howell. "I am in a great position and if I continue playing the way I am, I am going
to have chances to win tournaments, and if one comes my way it would be fantastic.
"The last 18 months I have moved up a gear," added Howell, who carded eight birdies and just one bogey in his opening 65 at Wentwood Hills.
"I have not won in that time but the consistency has been on a completely different level and when I have been fit I have put in a good performance."
Howell has been plagued by injuries during his career, missing out on the 2002 Seve Trophy after tripping over while jogging and breaking his arm.
"I have had so many injuries that I have had to go down the work-out route to cure me," he added. "I am still getting lots of niggles but I am working hard to try and stop them and I am putting as much into my golf as I ever have."
Howell enjoys a one-shot lead over Germany's Marcel Siem and Italy's Emanuele Canonica, with Colin Montgomerie sharing third another shot adrift with Scot Steven O'Hara and France's Christian Cevaer, who was fined £4,000 for slow play during his 67.
Montgomerie carded a flawless 67 which was comfortably the best round the 40-year-old has completed since the news he was separating from wife Eimear "with a view to divorce" last month.
The former European number one looked close to his best yesterday with five birdies and no bogeys.
"I am in grave danger of becoming competitive again," said Montgomerie. "I want to be and I am trying my best. It was the first time I have played a round of golf without a bogey since the troubles I suppose and the world is a much better place when that happens."