Title holder James Kamte of South Africa will spearhead a cosmopolitan line-up of champions at the season-opening Asian Tour International next week.
The big-hitting Kamte will relish a return to the highly rated Suwan Golf and Country Club from February 4-7 to defend his first career breakthrough achieved 12 months ago.
The South African made his Asian Tour debut at the Asian Tour International after earning his card through Qualifying School last year and then defeated Japanese veteran Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who has also confirmed his appearance in the US$300,000 event.
Other top names who will grace the event include Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin, who won the final tournament of the 2009 season in Thailand, India's rising stars Gaganjeet Bhullar and C. Muniyappa, Australians Marcus Both and Darren Beck, Korean duo Mo Joong-kyung and Hwang Inn-choon, Filipino Angelo Que and Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat.
"To win my first tournament as a rookie was a dream come true. I just hit the ball so well that week," said the 29-year-old Kamte.
He charged from three shots back to win last year's Asian Tour International by two strokes and the victory helped him finish 27th on the Order of Merit.
The South African, a product of the Ernie Els Foundation, also qualified for his first Major at the US Open and enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when world number one Tiger Woods invited him to play together in a practice round.
His defence will be severely tested as a strong international field will converge at Suwan Golf and Country Club, which upgraded all its greens for the third edition of the Asian Tour International.
Bhullar and Muniyappa, who became the latest Indians to break through on the Asian Tour last year, will be expected to launch title challenges in the opening event of the year.
The 21-year-old Bhullar was one of last year's revelations where he won the Indonesia President Invitational and posted three other runner-up finishes to finish sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He also made his Major debut at the British Open.
"Last year was a dream year and I feel really pumped up about the new season ahead. I'll be playing in our first event and I hope to get a good start. My aim is to keep improving every year, keep working hard and the results will come," said Bhullar.
Countryman Muniyappa produced a memorable victory at the Hero Honda Indian Open when he outlasted Korea's Lee Sung in a play-off. A former caddie, Muniyappa's success was an inspiration to many underprivileged golfers.
Australia's Both, who enjoyed a career high seventh place finish on last year's Order of Merit, has finished third in the first two editions of the Asian Tour International and will naturally be aiming to improve by a couple of notches next week.
The 29-year-old won the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open at the end of last season and posted five other top-10s and he will be eager to pick up from where he left off.
Beck is another Australian who has established himself on the Asian Tour, thanks to his victory at the Brunei Open last season where he came from six shots back to pip Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit and Bhullar in a play-off.
Former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chinnarat Phadungsil will spearhead the Thai challenge.
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