Beijing: Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat will tee off alongside defending champion Alex Levy and Chinese sensation Li Hatong in the opening round of the Volvo China Open today and is ready to take on whatever the elements throw at him.
The world No.32, who won yesterday's pro-am, reflected his position as the highest-ranked player in the field by dismissing concerns as to the predicted high temperatures for this week's tournament at Beijing Huairou Topwin Golf and Country Club.
"It was cool to start with in practice but then the sun came out and it got pretty hot," he said on the eve of the RMB20 million (approximately 100 million baht) event, co-sanctioned by the China Golf Association, the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
"If it stays that way, I'm honest and I can't say that sort of weather will suit me 100 per cent," he said.
"But the way my game is at the moment, it doesn't really matter. The way I am playing right now means I can play anytime, anywhere, in any condition."
The other Thai players in the field are Thongchai Jaidee, Jazz Janewattananond, Poom Saksansin, Phachara Khongwatmai, Panuphol Pittayarat and Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
Frenchman Levy, 27, is the only player in the history of the tournament to win it twice and he sees no reason why he can't make it a hat-trick of titles in the 24th edition of China's national golf championship.
"Even after winning in Rabat, it honestly never crossed my mind to withdraw from this event," said Levy, who moved to a career-high 47th in the world rankings following his win last weekend at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.
"I really like this golf course and I have so many great memories from this tournament so I'm very happy to be back again. I'm certainly in a better place to defend my title after winning last weekend."
Levy's gruelling journey to make the line-up in Beijing involved flights from Casablanca and Dubai.
Yet despite just two hours sleep, he cut a relaxed and smiling figure after playing 18 holes over the par-72 7,261-yard, Ian Woosnam-designed course on the Beijing outskirts in the shadow of the Great Wall.
Inevitably, talks turned to the Ryder Cup and Levy's dream of playing for Europe in this year's battle in Paris.
"For sure, I want to be the best player in the world and be part of the best tournament in the world but to do that I have to become a better player and keep improving," he said.
"And hopefully I am doing that."
Leading the 42-strong Chinese contingent in the 156-man field is world No.44 Li.
Already a winner in 2018 at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he saw off the challenge of Rory McIlroy, the 22-year-old returns to where he won the Volvo China Open -- his first European title -- in 2016.
Meanwhile, young Indian talent Shubhankar Sharma will be eyeing a memorable debut at the China Open.
It has been a meteoric rise for Sharma since claiming his breakthrough victory at the Joburg Open in December.
The 21-year-old Indian secured his second title in Malaysia two months later and went on to finish in the top-10 in his World Golf Championships debut in Mexico, thereby earning an invite for his major debut at the Masters.
"My game's feeling good. I haven't really had a break. I was playing in the United States for the past few weeks. A bit of up and downs but that's how golf is. I am feeling confident with how has transpired over the past few weeks. I know my game is there. I just need one good tournament to win again," said Sharma.
"It is great to be here. It will be great to have another win definitely. I have had a superb season so far. I am just trying to do the same things that I have been doing for the past few months.
"It's my first time playing in the Volvo China Open. I have seen the course on television before and Jeev [Milkha Singh of India] won the tournament back in 2006."
"Jeev and I both came from Chandigarth in India. I basically see him every day on the range when we're back home."
