Former champions Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will lead the Thai challenge at the Malaysian Open which tees off today at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Thongchai, who won the tournament in 2004 and 2005, and Kiradech, the 2013 winner, are among contenders in the Asian Tour's season opener.
They are among 17 Thais at the US$3 million tournament, co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
In his third tournament this year, world No.37 Thongchai said that he had become more confident after a successful season when he won his sixth European Tour title.
"I hope I can keep playing well," said the 45-year-old, who was 39th in the world at the end of last year.
"My confidence is good right now and I want to get better and better. I will try my best to stay in the top 50 in the world so that I can play in all four major tournaments this year."
He has already qualified for this year's Masters and British Open.
Three-time Asian Tour No.1 Thongchai will tee off today at 6.50am (Thai time) along with Robert Karlsson of Sweden and Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines.
Kiradech, who was crowned the Asian Tour No.1 player in 2013 thanks largely to his victory at the Malaysian Open, will return to action today after pulling out of last week's Dubai Desert Classic due to a knee injury.
The 25-year-old said his game had improved after an unimpressive season.
He said that the Kuala Lumpur GCC was in good conditions as it was in 2013 when he won the title.
In the first two rounds, Kiradech will play alongside defending champion Lee Westwood of England and reigning Asian Tour No.1 David Lipsky of the US.
Thai veteran Prayad Marksaeng, 49, is in a confident mood after his win at the Singha Masters in Chiang Rai last week.
Prom Meesawat, who finished third on the Asian Tour money list last year, is grouped with YE Yang of South Korea and India's Arjun Atwal.
Rising star Jazz Wattanananond will play with Spain's Alvaro Quiros and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.
Other Thai golfers in the competitive field include Thanyakorn Krongpha, Chapchai Nirat, Panuphol Pittayarat, Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Namchok Tantipokhakul.
Meanwhile, Westwood will be shooting for a third Malaysian Open title to extend his strong record in Asia, which has come to feel like home for the Englishman.
Westwood was in a class by himself last year, seizing the title at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club by seven strokes and adding to a previous win in the tournament way back in 1997.
"I am always comfortable playing in Malaysia, and with last year's win one of my best ever, I am ready to defend my title on a course where I almost feel like a member," said Westwood, 41.
Few non-Asian players can rival the former world No.1's record in the region.
Westwood has 42 pro victories in his career including seven in Asian Tour-sanctioned events and several others in the region.
His most recent Asian Tour win came in the Thailand Golf Championship in December, the second time he won that event.
Since his victory last year in Kuala Lumpur, Westwood has struggled to remain in top form and is now ranked 30th in the world.
But, following his one-shot victory in Thailand in December, he finished a solid ninth place last week in the Dubai Desert Classic, won by world No.1 Rory McIlroy.
Challengers in Kuala Lumpur include Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell. bangkok post/afp