The 32-year-old, who was not even aware he had been fined £4,000 (€5,900) the week before, admitted he had not studied the new tougher regulations closely enough but has learnt subsequent offences will cost him double the amount of the previous fine.

Seven more, in other words, would produce a £1m (€1.5m) punishment.

“I still do not feel I am one of the slowest,” insisted Khan, who was fined £2,000 (€3,00) on his way to a shock victory here last year, a week after being penalised a stroke and fined £2,000 during the Volvo PGA Championship.

“In Ireland it did get to me a bit. I am usually good at blocking things out on the course but I found myself a little affected by it, checking positions about where we are on the course.

“But I have had a good chat with my caddie, it is a team job out there, and all I worry about now is playing golf. I know my routine. Once I pick a club up it takes about 18 seconds to hit a normal shot so I should never get a bad time.

“It is about getting on the ball, keeping in position and also getting the yardages quickly and once I have made my decision I will be fine.”

Khan was ranked 255th in the world at the time of his play-off victory over Ryder Cup star Paul Casey 12 months ago, and revealed he is still not exactly a household name.

“I checked into the hotel on Tuesday and they had a screen up behind reception,” added Khan, who fired a course-record 61 in the second round last year.

“We actually had a few problems checking in but then my face appeared on the screen holing the winning putt.

“It was nice to walk in and straight away get reminded of last year. I try to treat each week as it comes and do not put any special importance on most weeks but this one is a bit special and I will make my best effort to retain it.”