Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant wants history to repeat itself at this week’s King’s Cup presented by PTT Group.
The 49 year old won the last edition of this event in 2014 and is hoping for further success at this week’s tournament, which is held at Phoenix Gold Golf Club in Pattaya.
The King’s Cup, which is co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, is the third of four new events on the 2016 European Tour International Schedule.
Thaworn is keen to keep the trophy in Thailand and hopes his knowledge of the course will give him the edge as he looks to defend his title.
“The King’s Cup is a very special event,” he said. “It’s the pride of Thailand which we are fighting for and this will further motivate me to play well.
“I want to win the trophy again and keep it on home soil again - Thaworn Wiratchant
“We Thai players have the local knowledge on this course and that would play to our advantage.”
Thaworn will get his opening round under way at 12.10pm local time alongside 2008 Masters Tournament winner Trevor Immelman and American David Lipsky.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena is hoping to complete his preparations for the Olympic Games by winning his first European Tour title in Thailand.
The 21 year old, who finished in a share of second place at this year's Maybank Championship Malaysia, is happy with his game heading into this week’s event.
He said: “This is my last tournament before the Olympics. My game is in a really good place now. It would be nice to win this week as that would give me a huge confidence boost.
“I’m very excited about going to Rio next week. It’s always an honour to represent my country.
“I always represent my country whenever I play but it’s a bit more special now as this is the Olympics and it’s the biggest sporting event in the world.
“I’m just very blessed to be part of it. I’m expecting to feel the nerves when I get to Brazil.
“I never join a tournament thinking that I cannot win. The goal would be to win a medal at the Olympics. “
Tabuena will tee off at 07.20am on Thursday alongside fellow Olympian Siddikur Rahman and Danny Chia.
Rahman is happy to be in Pattaya as he puts the finishing touches to his preparations for Rio.
He said: “This is my final warm-up before the Olympics. It’s good to be able to play in a tournament like the King’s Cup before I leave for Brazil.
“My preparations have been really good and I’m really looking forward to the Olympics.
“If I can play to my strengths, I believe I have a good chance of winning a medal there. I’m not really worried about the results because I know that if I give my best, there is a good chance I can win something.”
