Seongnam: Thailand's Pannakorn Uthaipas is in confident mood ahead of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship which tees off today in South Korea.
Pannakorn had a year to remember in 2017 where he notched one victory and four top-10s to clinch the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit.
In doing so, he became the second Thai after Pavit Tangkamolprasert in 2014, to win the accolade.
"I'm really excited to be playing this event. It's my first visit to Korea and first time playing this tournament too," Pannakorn said.
"I finished tied-fourth at a local event last week which is very good especially for my form coming into this event.
"I'm feeling confident. I'm gaining a lot of experience playing on the Asian Tour especially since winning the ADT Order of Merit last year. I'm not going to put much pressure on myself as everything's still new to me and I just want to gain as much experience and do my best."
South Korean star YE Yang is determined to recapture his past glory especially after resurrecting his career with his latest win in Japan last week.
The Asian Tour honorary member has been installed as one of the early favourites at this week's event.
Yang has not reached the dizzy heights of 2009 where he defeat former world No.1 Tiger Woods to win the PGA Championship.
The 46-year-old enjoyed a career high of 19th place on the world rankings in 2010 but has since slipped to 349th place.
However, with his return to the winner's circle again, Yang is buoyed with confidence and knows he can regain his place among the world's elite again.
"I'm really happy with my win in Japan last week. I know I have not won for a long time but I kept believing in myself as I know my next win will come again if I stayed patient," Yang said.
"It has been a long time but it certainly feels good now that I've won again. I know I can still compete and put myself in contention. I'll be focusing more on Japan this year and playing on a couple of the Asian Tour too. I'm expecting a good crowd to come out here to watch us play and it's going to be a good tournament."
India's Jyoti Randhawa, who will turn 46 this week, has been encouraged by the latest successes of Yang and compatriot Rahil Gangjee.
The Indian's last win on the Asian Tour was in 2009 when he won his eighth tour title in Thailand and he will be looking to break the stronghold of the Koreans at the Maekyung Open which last featured on the Asian Tour schedule in 2009.
"Rahil's win has inspired me a lot as it shows that perseverance will eventually pay off. We're all in the same boat, trying to do our best every week and hopefully it can be my turn this week," he said.
Other contenders for this week's title include India's Shiv Kapur, Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, Thai stars Rattanon Wannasrichan and Phachara Khongwatmai, Malaysia's Nicholas Fung, American Berry Henson and South Africa's Shaun Norris.