Pattaya: Several Thai players will be vying for the title at the Queen's Cup which tees off today at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
Among the local hopefuls are Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Jazz Janewattananond and Prom Meesawat.
The other contenders include defending champion Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, India's Gaganjeet Bhullar and Jeev Milkha Singh, Taiwan's Chan Shih-chang, and American Sihwan Kim.
Pavit battled against a wrist injury to claim a record sixth Asian Development Tour victory on home soil last month.
He won the Singha Open on the local circuit at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in 2014.
"I am feeling very confident with my game right now, especially after winning on the ADT last month. It's in good shape. Coming back to play on home soil is always good. With the prestige of the Queen's Cup, it will be very special for me if I can win the tournament," said Pavit, who was crowned the 2014 ADT Order of Merit champion.
"I won the Singha Open on this golf course back in 2014 and we played the Mountain and Ocean courses back then as well. I went to practise at the Ocean course yesterday but I couldn't recall anything. It's been four long years."
Jazz came in second at the Queen's Cup last year, finishing just one shot behind Fung. He hopes to go one better in his title charge this week.
"It's good to be back home playing the Queen's Cup this week. I had a great finish last year but on a different golf course," said Jazz.
"I hope to do well and prepare myself for the British Open next month."
Prom said: "I am happy with the way that I am playing now. My putting has been getting better over the last few weeks. I came really close to winning my third title on this course last December before finishing second. I am looking forward to playing well again this week."
The 150-man field features 40 Asian Tour champions including Fung, Pavit, Jazz, Prom and Thaworn Wiratchant.
Fung believes he can conjure another magical winning act this week.
Fung hopes to become the first Malaysian to successfully defend his title on the Asian Tour.
"I come to Thailand very often. In the past, I always came here hoping to win my first title but this week feels different. I am defending the title for the very first time on the Asian Tour. I feel good. It feels like home here in Thailand. I have many good friends here," said the 28-year-old Malaysian.
"Although I'm defending the title on a different course this week, I feel I still have some good chances after playing this course the last two days."
Meanwhile, the Asian Tour announced yesterday that its CEO Josh Burack has decided to resign citing family reasons.
Burack said he wants to travel less and spend more quality time with his wife and two children.
Since taking over the helm as CEO in October 2016, the Asian Tour enjoyed a period of rapid growth as events on the main circuit have increased from 24 in the 2016 season to more than 30 this year.