Dean Burmester was on his way back from a family trip at an aquarium in Dubai when his outlook on life and golf changed forever.
The South African was involved in a four-car collision with his wife Melissa and his four-year-old son Jordan ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic two years ago.
The Burmester's, who welcomed a second baby boy Alexander in October, would luckily escape the scene with only minor injuries after their Uber driver collided into the back of a Porsche.
Burmester would somehow not only recover to play in the European Tour event less than 48 hours later, with a strapped ankle, but he would go on to contend with a T3 finish at the Emirates Golf Club.
For once in his life, he didn't care how he fared in a golf tournament - all that he was concerned about was that his family safely walked away from such a horrendous ordeal.
The lasting image from that week was not Burmester's sterling play, but an interview after his round on Friday, clutching his son Jordan as he spoke candidly about the incident and how it has changed his perspective, realising what was most important in life.
And two years on, as he returns to the very same event where it all happened, it's still something he holds close to his heart.
Speaking to Mirror Sport, he recalled: "Driving in from Abu Dhabi last week, we drove right underneath that flyover where it all happened and it gave me chills down my spine. It's scary.
"My son was turned towards me and talking to me and luckily and I grabbed my arm around him. He wasn't really in a position in his seatbelt to avoid being flung forward so I was lucky enough to hold him.
"When I realised everyone was OK, I was like 'Holy moly this is a serious wake-up call.'
"When I came to the golf course that Wednesday morning, I didn't know if I was going to play. The doctors and the physios gave me the all-clear, it was a strain and we strapped it up. I was able to hit balls and by Thursday it was fine, I could walk and I was ready to play.
"Golf is life to us, but to realise it's only a small part of it, there is so much more than that. Providing for your family and those sorts of things because, in a flash, it could be all over. 'What did you do?' 'Who did you do it for?' Those are the questions I asked myself that night and it changed my perspective on life and the whole game of golf.
"I still carry that with me today."
That change in mindset seems to have done Burmester a world of good as he has since gone on to win twice around the globe, both coming in the last 12 months.
He secured an emphatic victory at the 2021 Tenerife Open winning by four shots, ending a four-year winless drought following his maiden European Tour win at the 2017 Tshwane Open.
Burmester would then back that up with an impressive win on home soil at the South African PGA Championship, one of the biggest events in his homeland.
And the 32-year-old doesn't think it's a coincidence his recent success has come shortly after what happened in Dubai, which happened to follow one of his worst seasons in 2019 where he missed 13 cuts.
He added: "I didn't realise it was four years until they brought it up. It goes by so fast out here. There are certainly a lot of ups and downs and I've experienced both. It doesn't matter how well you think you're going, it's how you get back up.
"I found myself enjoying the grind of golf more. It used to frustrate me. We're chasing perfection in an imperfect game and an imperfect world.
"When you have that perspective and it was such a big thing that happened to me. I don't wish that on anybody but I am glad it happened to me and my family because it's changed my whole life, my approach towards my family, my game of golf. Everything.
"And that's kicked on to good performances. Had I known that's what I need to perform as an athlete, I wish it could have happened a few years sooner. I am here now and it's paying dividends. I'm just grateful I am still here."
Speaking about his win in South Africa, he added: "I found myself being the last player on the range with my caddy and we both said if I'm the only guy here then I'm working harder than everyone else so I had nothing lose.
"It was amazing to win such a prestigious trophy. Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen have all won it. If you're anyone in South African golf you have won that tournament so for me to put my name in amongst them is really special."
Burmester is now ranked 69th in the world, a career-high, and has his sights set on an appearance at the Masters in April which he can get an invite to by breaking into the top 50.
Burmester is set to play the other three Majors this season, however, including the 150th Open at St. Andrews - a tournament he reckons he has a shot of winning if he plays his best golf.
And he insists the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive down Magnolia Lane at Augusta would be the icing on the cake.
He said: "I am super stoked to be playing three and if I do get into Augusta and play four, I would consider that a dream come true. I was a kid sitting on the couch watching them so to be playing in them is unbelievable.
"That's everyone's goal, get to Augusta and stay in the top 50 for as long as I can because it has a lot of luxuries and benefits that come with it. That's definitely a goal of mine come December if it doesn't happen by April.
"I am super excited for the 150th Open at St Andrews which is going to be one of the biggest weeks in golf. Hopefully, come Sunday evening on the back nine I can be competing for the Claret Jug."
Burmester is also taking his talents to the PGA Tour this season as he's set to make his debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next week.
He's banking on sponsor's exemptions the rest of the way but hasn't ruled out trying to get a full-time membership in the future as he feels he is more than capable of competing with the world's best across the pond.
He added: "You always want to grow in the game, it's the biggest Tour in the world, most prize money, world ranking points and the best players in the world. If you can win up there, perform consistently you're going to have a great career.
"A lot of guys told me I should have gone a long time ago to America. Now is the time to go out and test my metal, I feel I have a good enough game to go out and win on the PGA Tour.
"I am looking in front of me now instead of what is ahead."
