Ryder Cup on Thomas Pieters' mind as he prepares for Czech Masters

Pieters won his first DP World Tour title at Albatross Golf Resort in 2015 and claimed two more victories before being given a wild card for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, where he won a record four points on his debut.

And, although the qualifying process for next year's contest in Rome has yet to be announced, the 30-year-old Belgian is keen to secure a second appearance in the biennial contest between Europe and the United States.

"I've had a lovely vacation at the beach with the missus and daughter," said Pieters, who has not played since finishing 28th in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.

"I put the clubs away for the last three weeks and we've been at home, (but) I look forward to competing. I do miss it after two weeks. I miss competing and being in the heat of things."

Pieters, who won the Czech Masters for a second time in 2019, claimed his sixth DP World Tour title in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year and is currently sixth on the money list.

However, the world number 35's chances of ending the season as European number one could be hampered by missing out on the lucrative season-ending tournament in Dubai.

"When we got the due date for the baby, I did check my phone straight away to see when that was," Pieters explained.

"It's unfortunate it's the same week as the DP World Tour Championship, but I'm never going to miss the birth of my child. I'm at peace I won't be playing and that the season will be cut short, that's the way it is. I'll be playing for the next 10 or 15 years, that's just life.

"Winning the DP World Tour Rankings this year I don't think will be possible, but that was on my mind at the start of the season.

"Consistency-wise I think I could improve, but obviously I want to play in Rome. I want to play in my second Ryder Cup - that's probably my biggest goal."