Ryder Cup hopeful Bernhard Langer believes he is in a three-way tussle for two places in Europe's team to take on the might of America in September.
The German, who tied for third in the Open at Royal Lytham this week, can shake-up that equation with another strong finish in the Dutch Open at Noordwijk, Holland, which starts today.
A third Dutch title win for the weathered Ryder Cup veteran - worth 300,000 qualifying points - would catapult him into the top 10 and an automatic selection position from his current 14th.
But, that aside, Langer sees himself, Jesper Parnevik and Sergio Garcia as the trio shaping up for European captain Sam Torrance to pick two wildcards from.
Langer's involvement on the American circuit has denied him the opportunity to gather points - Swede Parnevik is likely to be picked despite playing predominately in the States - in a season in which his good form has led him to 29th in the world rankings, the ninth highest European.
He has also performed well at the big events, finishing as the highest-placed European in the Masters.
Two years ago, Langer was left out of the 12-man team selected by Mark James as Scot Andrew Coltart, who finished a place below him in the list at 13th was preferred alongside Parnevik.
Another Swede, Robert Karlsson, who finished 11th, also missed out. Whatever happens at the Dutch links course, however, Langer will not change his plans for the season, which include a fortnight's rest after this tournament and the sacrifice of two more ranking events in Europe.
"I am taking two weeks off and then playing in the USPGA. My schedule will not change. It is so busy," he said.
"I can't play seven in a row. What am I trying to prove? If I am not good enough for Sam to be there with the tournaments I play, then I don't want to be there. It's as simple as that.
"I have nothing to prove. I felt that I could just as easily have been picked as Coltart or Karlsson but it was Mark's choice. That's the way it is.
"There is probably extra pressure on me to do well in this event, I would like to be in the team, but at the same time if I don't make it I think I have performed well enough to be in the inner circle of picks.
"That's just my opinion. I can't read Sam's mind. If I was captain at the moment I know I would be looking at Garcia, Parnevik and myself. But you can only take two."
That would still leave other experienced campaigners like Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jose Maria Olazabal and a resurgent Ian Woosnam on the outside as things currently stand.
"It's not easy," he said. "I wouldn't want to be in Sam's shoes." The German star added: "I think every tournament should count through the world rankings."
To exacerbate the struggle for a coveted place at the Belfry, those in the top 12 will get a chance for extra points in a limited field at the NEC Invitational, Firestone, Ohio, where a top-20 finish could further cement an individual's hold.
"This week and the PGA are important if I want to get into the NEC and the Ryder Cup. It's a bit weird that the 12 get into Firestone, then get a bigger lead over those going on to play in the BMW," Langer said. "It's like giving them an extra 50,000 or 100,000 to their score."
Langer finished as runner-up to Australian Stephen Leaney on the same course last year and tees off with the holder and another Australian, Aaron Baddeley.
The Irish contingent competing this week are Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, David Higgins, Paul McGinley, Des Smyth and Philip Walton, who received an invitation.
David Dixon, the leading amateur in this year's Open, has turned professional. The 24-year-old has joined the International Sports Management who include Clarke and Lee Westwood in their ranks.
