Arjun Atwal and Shiv Kapur, who are looking to revive their fortunes this season, will get a chance to do so when they tee off at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, an event that returns to the Tour schedule after a gap of two years.
Atwal is hoping to add to his title tally of eight on Asian Tour, while Kapur is still waiting for his second win on the Tour. His first that came 11 years ago in his rookie year in 2005.
SSP Chawrasia, Rahil Gangjee, Himmat Rai, Rashid Khan, Chiragh Kumar and Gaganjeet Bhullar are the other Indians in the field this week at the 7218-yard Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Interestingly, each of the eight Indians in the field has won at least once on the Asian Tour.
Of the eight golfers, Atwal with eight titles, three of which were co-sanctioned with Europe, and also a win each on Web.Com and PGA Tour, is the most successful Indian here.
Gaganjeet Bhullar has five, SSP Chawrasia has three and Rashid two titles, while Shiv Kapur, Rahil Gangjee, Chiragh Kumar and Himmat Rai have one each for a total of 22 titles among them.
Atwal, who after losing his card on the PGA Tour, has shifted to Asia, where he started off and even won the Order of Merit back in 2003, got a win in late 2014, when he finished on the top at Dubai Open.
It was his first win in Asia since 2008 and the first pro win since his 2010 win on PGA Tour at Wyndham Championships.
"I played on Asian Tour for many years before going to US. Now coming back for the last couple of years, the adjustment took time, but things are looking better. But I need to be more consistent. I feel there is a lot of golf still left in me," said Atwal.
Kapur is coming off a good finish in Abu Dhabi, where he was on a invite and finished tied 11.
"It was a good week. I had 22 birdies, so much of my game is in place, but now I need to tighten some other aspects so that I don't give away shots after working hard to get the birdies," said Kapur with a smile. "I was here once way back in 2006. So I do remember the place."
As for results, Kapur added, "Maybe a good result is around the corner. Who knows this week or the Hero Indian Open coming up next month or the Malaysian and Thailand events in between.
Chawrasia, who is close to good results as his form is showing a resurgence. He gave away a couple of big numbers, a triple and a double last week, but for which he may have finished way higher than his tied 38th.
"I am not worried, as my game is coming around, but I need to be more consistent," said Chawrasia after the Pro-Am today. "The course is a nice layout, but needs more maintenance, which I believe is happening for the 2017 edition."
While Singapore Open winner, Younghan Song, who beat World No. 1 Jordan Spieth enroute to his first career title is a big favourite this week, fellow Korean KT Kim, who won five titles in Japan while finishing on top of the Japan Order of Merit is also looking very strong.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Mithun Perera is looking to settle some old scores when he returns to avenge his narrow defeat at the same event in 2013.
Memories of being pipped to the finishing line by Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol in 2013 are still fresh in his mind and the 29-year-old is hoping to make up for that loss.
"I came very close to winning my first Asian Tour event then and I remembered I was five shots off the lead at the start of the day and made a strong charge but lost by one shot. That was one of my best runs on the Asian Tour and I was really hoping I could win then. But it's okay, I've another chance again this week and hopefully, I can do it," said Perera.
Defending champion Chawalit believes it will not be a stroll in the park for the others, as he is determined to put up a stout defence of his title.
Japan's Shintaro Kobayashi is hopeful of being the surprise package at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, which boosts a strong field that features Asian Tour Order of Merit winners Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Philippines' Juvic Pagunsan and China's Liang Wen-chong and Korea's KT Kim, who topped the merit list in Japan last year.
