Chiang Mai: Major winners Jason Dufner and Charl Schwartzel are relishing the prospect of winning their first title of the year when they tee off at the 2nd Chiangmai Golf Classic today.
From left, Noh Seung-Yul, Charl Schwartzel, Scott Hend, Jason Dufner and Kiradech Aphibarnrat at yesterday's press conference.
The world No.32 Dufner is making his debut at the US$750,000 in confident mood after a joint 10th finish at last week's WGC-Champions in Shanghai. It was an improved performance from the American since he returned from the neck injury that kept him sidelined for nearly three months.
"I have been getting better with my results and game," said the 2013 PGA Championship winner.
To play his fourth straight event since withdrawing from the 96th PGA Championship, Dufner said that he was feeling good and stronger and that he hoped to finish strong here to show that he will be ready for the start of next season.
"This will be my last event before I get some time off again to get stronger and make sure I am ready for the start of next year."
In his first start in 12 weeks at Handa Perth International in Australia last month, Dufner finished joint 23rd and then he shared 26th at CIMB Classic in Malaysia following week.
Dufner was excited to play at Alpine Golf Resort where the conditions were close to what he played on growing up in South Florida.
"It is hot and humid with Bermuda grass," he said. "I like this type of golf course and we have a strong field in this week's event."
Dufner's best result was a runner-up at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
Schwartzel, a 2011 Masters champion, said that he's in a good shape and felt positive about playing in Chiang Mai for the first time.
"My game's been pretty decent," said the South African, who this year registered his best result of fourth place at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
"It has been consistent throughout the year with a few top-10s and top-20s. I'm in good shape."
The world No.26 knew how to win here in Thailand after he triumphed at the Thailand Golf Championship in 2012.
Defending champion Scott Hend, who made a sizzling final 64 to win the title on 20-under 268 last year, said that he was trying to work his way back into form after a two-week break.
"I had two weeks off in Florida and didn't touch any golf clubs," he said. "I am trying to work my way back into form and see how it goes."
Asian Tour No.1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who tied for fifth here last year, said that he set a high target this week because there was a big support including his family members to support him.
"I've got my family, friends and golf fans here to support me this week. A few of them even came from Bangkok with me. I set a higher target for myself because I don't want to disappoint them. My family has been a great support to me so I really want to show them what I can do," said Kiradech.
"As a local player, I want to put up a strong fight against the elite field," he added. "We've got two Major winners this week so it will be a good challenge.
"The course is in a fantastic shape but the rough is quite tough. You need to keep your ball on the fairways to score."
Other contenders were the 2010 Asian Tour No.1 Noh Seung-Yul of Korea and India's Jeev Milkha Singh, who was the Asian Tour No.1 in 2006 and 2008.
Four years since becoming the youngest Order of Merit winner, Noh, who won his first PGA Tour title in April, is excited to return on the Asian Tour and contend for a third win in the region.
"It is good to be back on the Asian Tour. It is good to be back to my roots and come back to where I developed my game. Everything is great except for the scorching heat which I can't control. We have some really good players here this week so that will bring out the best out in me," said Noh.
Kiradech will tee off at 7.10am alongside Steve Lewton of England and Schwartzel. Dufner starts at 11.45am in the company of Singh and Hend.