Daniel Augustus has every reason to be optimistic about his golf these days.

The 33-year-old professional has invested a considerable amount of time lately perfecting his craft, which he reckons is beginning to pay off.

“My game is getting better, getting stronger and I’m feeling more confident,” Augustus said.

“Short game is becoming stronger and stronger every day, more than any other part of my game, which is what I am happy about. I haven’t felt this good about my putting ever, especially.

“Not even so much because of expectations; I have no expectations when I go out there any more. But it’s a confidence that it’s not a struggle any more. It’s not like one day I’m hot, next day I’m cold, and my putting has become a lot more consistent.”

Augustus has worked particularly hard on improving his short game.

“I have spent a lot of time around the short-game area more than I have in a very long time basically since I was a kid, and it’s translating into my golf game overall,” he added.

“My bad days are now even par as opposed to shooting six over. Things like that I‘m looking forward to in my game, and that’s what makes great professionals. On your bad days you shoot even, one under, two under as opposed to eight over, nine over.

“That is an awesome place to be in and when the gears start clicking, which is hopefully in the next few weeks, there’s no telling how well I will play.”

Augustus experienced disappointment after missing the cut in his first tournament of the year competing at last month’s Mayfair Inn Open at the par-72 Mayfair Country Club layout in Sanford, Florida.

He now hopes to compete in the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour season opener when Lakewood National Golf Club will host the third annual LECOM Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, from February 15 to 21.

“I am on the waiting list at the moment and if I get in I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“ust taking it day by day, step by step and not getting ahead of myself.”