TheSportsCampus

Japanese star Tetsuji Hiratsuka hopes to start his season with a successful title defence at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan starting on Thursday. Hiratsuka, a four-time Asian Tour winner, will lead an elite cast of players comprising of 32 champions this week at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

He will be joined by 2010 Rookie of the Year Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Daisuke Maruyama of Japan and India's rising star Himmat Rai at the US$300,000 event, returning on the Asian Tour schedule after a one-year lapse.

Hiratsuka, who finished second on the Order of Merit last year courtesy of his victory at the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, will be on the hunt for a fifth Asian Tour title to kick start his season.

"I'm very excited to be coming back to Myanmar to defend my title. I played very well at the end of last year and I hope I can continue that form. I might have won one title last year but honestly it was an up-and-down season because I injured my shoulder earlier in the year. I'm now 100% fit and ready to defend my title," said the Japanese.

To escape the winter in Japan, Hiratsuka went to the Island of Guam to practise in hopes of defending the title he won in 2010. The Myanmar Open was not staged in 2011.

"I finished second on the Order of Merit and that was quite disappointing because I didn't play that well earlier in the year. But this is a new season and I'm looking forward to the year. I'll try and minimize my tournaments this year because I was quite tired as the season came to a close," said Hiratsuka.

Karlberg started his Asian sojourn at the 2010 Myanmar Masters on the Asian Development Tour and will be looking to put his new swing technique to use after changing to a new coach three weeks ago.

"I switched to a new swing coach three weeks ago so I don't have very high expectations this week. I need to know where my game is right now but I hope I can get a good start this week. The swing might just click so you never know what will happen," said Karlberg.

India's Rai hopes to emulate last year's performance where he won in a five-man play-off that stretched over six holes at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic.

"It is nice to return to Myanmar. I've had a few weeks off at home with my coach where we did some changes to my short game and putting. It feels good now and I'm ready to start the season. It is nice to be back after the break," said the 24-year-old.

Zaw Moe, a winner on the Asian Tour and Nay Bala Win Myint will carry the local challenge this week. Nay Bala said playing in the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan will be a boost for his career.

"This is my home ground and I've played here many times. I hope it will give me a slight advantage. I'm feeling nervous representing my country in such a big event but I'll do my best. It is nice to be playing at home, the experience will definitely help me grow as a golfer," he said.

A total of 144 players from over 25 countries will play at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan this week.