Marc Leishman arrived early and put in extra homework mapping greens in an effort to turn his near misses at Torrey Pines into a US PGA Tour victory on Sunday.
The Victorian has been right in the thick of the Farmers Insurance Open four times in the last six years, twice finishing runner-up.
While most players believe the key to Torrey is accuracy both off the tee and into the greens, given the thick rough around both the long south course and shorter north course, Leishman has focussed on the greens.
"You just have to make putts and I just haven't done that the last few years," Leishman said.
"I feel like I have misread a few crucial putts the last few years so I did some extra work mapping on Monday so hopefully that's the difference."
Now entrenched in the world top 50 at No.28 after winning the European Tour's Nedbank Challenge in South Africa late last year, Leishman wants to add to his lone 2012 US PGA tour win.
With the experience of near misses in the Masters and British Open amongst 14 top-10 finishes since his 2012 Travelers Championship win he feels better equipped when in the hunt.
Wife Audrey's near-death experience has also helped him with perspective in the big moments.
"I know if I do what I need to do and am capable of doing, I can win," he added.
"With everything that has happened I feel calm when in contention. I feel I can be a little aggressive because I know golf isn't life or death.
"My game has progressed nicely but it is time to win more. It's good to be there in the top 50 of the world but I still have to play well and hopefully get myself even deeper into the rankings."
Defending champion Jason Day is still hopeful of playing despite being sick with a virus the last two days, forcing his withdrawal from the pro-am.
One player eager to see him front up is new world No.4 American Rickie Fowler, who is trying to turn talk of the big three in golf into the big four after winning in Abu Dhabi last week.
"I'm kind of the sneaky fourth," Fowler said referencing world No.1 Jordan Spieth, No.2 Day and No.3 Rory McIlroy.
"I guess to solidify being the four of us, winning a major would definitely help that.
"What Jordan did last year and what Jason did, that was special.
"I think it's definitely motivated Rory and I and the guys down the list as well. So if we can continue to play like that we're going to have some good battles."
Stuart Appleby has withdrawn with a back injury leaving the Aussie tilt at 13 with Day and Leishman to be joined by Matt Jones, Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley, Rhein Gibson, Jarrod Lyle, Rod Pampling, Cameron Percy, John Senden, Cameron Smith, Geoff Ogilvy and highly-rtaed 17-year-old pro debutant Ryan Ruffels.
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