Holder Pavit Tangkamolprasert is in confident mood ahead of the defence of his title at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship, which tees off today in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The seventh edition of the tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort and Golf Club is the opening event of the 2021 All Thailand Golf Tour season.
It offers a total purse of four million baht with the winner taking home 600,000 baht and projected seven world ranking points.
Pavit won the title last year with a total score of 23-under-par 261 and went on to claim the Order of Merit award.
The 31-year-old star said he is determined to retain the title this week.
"I am satisfied with my preparations. I played in a local match last week and was happy with the way I hit the ball. However, I still have to improve my putting," he said.
He said Rancho Charnvee is like a 'home course' for most participants in the field.
"Like many other golfers, I know the course well. It is not long and the par-five holes can be reached in two. The title may be decided on the greens," Pavit said.
In the first two rounds, Pavit will play alongside Thongchai Jaidee and Kosuke Hamamoto.
Teenage prodigy Atthaya Thitikul and LPGA Tour player Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras are among four female golfers in the 144-player field.
Atthaya, who has won five titles since turning pro last year, said participating in this men's event would give her an opportunity to test her swing after some changes.
"I also want to learn the men's short game as this should be helpful when I play on the Ladies European Tour later this year," said the 18-year-old.
The Ratchaburi native is grouped with Danthai Boonma and Thammanoon Sriroj in the first two rounds.
Pannarat, 23, admitted that it would be really tough to play from the same tees as the men.
Pannarat, who is in her sixth year on the LPGA Tour, plans to play in the US later this month.
In the first two rounds, she will play with Jakraphan Premsirigorn and amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat.
Ratchanon became the youngest ever player to have made the cut on the ATGT at the Pattaya Open last year when he was 13.
There are 12 events on the ATGT in the 2021 season with a total prize fund of 40 million baht.