For the past five years at least, Lombard has been meticulous in the work he has done to build the right team around him and to give himself access to exactly what he needs to have reached this level of confidence in his game.

“I’ve built a great team around me. Each of them is the best in their field and really adds value to my game in all departments. My psychologist Theo Bezuidenhout, my coach Grant Veenstra and my trainer Garth Milne are the best people for me. That really helps in solidifying my game.”

He’s also worked extremely hard on the mental aspect of his game and developed techniques from breath exercises to weekly maintenance strategies that ensure he’s where he needs to be when the first round tees off and is never left wondering.

“I found a lot of benefit from the Neuropeak team and breathing training. In my game and my life it’s important to breathe correctly, especially when you get anxious and stressed on the course. In my case it’s a four-one-four rhythm of breathing that gets my heart rate down and keeps my emotions in control so that I can be in a focused state of mind.

“I also have good maintenance boxes with my putting and swing – 15 minutes of check-ups every day for my alignment, my stroke, my pace. They are just little maintenance elements I’ve put in place to make sure that week-in and week-out I’m still where I want to be. That has helped in building my confidence going into the first two rounds of a tournament where I can eliminate any doubt that I haven’t prepared correctly.

“I feel confident I’ve put in the right work to play my best golf from the first round.”

Add this to Lombard hitting it 10 metres further, and straighter, with his driver and a putting game that’s improved dramatically, and you understand why he can say he’s proud of what he’s built.

It’s an overall game that’s primed to take advantage when that moment comes for him.