TheSportsCampus

World 72-hole scoring record-holder Chapchai Nirat of Thailand is planning to come out with all guns blazing when he tees up at the ICTSI Philippine Open at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club next week. The Thai, who is nicknamed "King Kong" by his peers due to his big-hitting game, will be amongst a strong contingent of Asian Tour stars who will be out to dethrone reigning champion Berry Henson of the United States in what is the second leg of the 2012 Asian Tour's season.

Countryman Prayad Marksaeng, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, rising star Thanyakon Khrongpha and Namchok Tantipokakul will join other established Thai champions such as Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chawalit Plaphol in next week's event.

Asia's oldest national Open will be beamed live for the first time on the Asian Tour's global television platform which reaches over 200 nations.

The ICTSI Philippine Open will also see several other leading players heading full speed to Wack Wack's East course, including India's talented youngster Chiragh Kumar, back-in-form countryman Rahil Gangjee, Qualifying School winner David Lipsky of the United States and Thailand's Arnond Vongvanu.

Several former Philippine Open champions who will feature in the Open include the country's golf legend Frankie Minoza, Angelo Que, Artemio Murakami, Elmer Salvador, Manila-based Canadian Rick Gibson, Korean-American Anthony Kang and Chinese Taipei duo Wang Ter-chang and Yeh Chang-ting.

The 29-year-old Chapchai has won three times on the Asian Tour but the most memorable victory was at the 2009 SAIL Open in India. Then, he went on a scoring spree to shoot a world-record of 32-under-par 256 en route to an emphatic 11-stroke victory.

He has not won since that magical week but judging by last season's form where he finished 12th on the Order of Merit thanks to two top-10s and four top-25s, Chapchai could well contend at the ICTSI Philippine Open next week.

Despite turning 46 earlier this week, the smooth-swinging Prayad will be expected to mount a title challenge as well. He finished 11th on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit last season where he enjoyed two top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the Queen's Cup on the holiday isle of Samui.

All eyes will be on newcomer India's Kumar, who announced his arrival on the big stage with a runner-up finish in the Hero Indian Open last season which helped him earn full playing rights for the 2012 season.

The former amateur star has been tipped by many to follow in the footsteps of illustrious compatriots Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal, who have all won the Asian Tour's Order of Merit crown previously.

Countryman Gangjee, who played on the US Nationwide Tour last season, regained his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Thailand last month and rode on his good form by finishing second in a domestic event in India last week.

Japan's Azuma Yano, a three-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, will also feature in the ICTSI Philippine Open alongside countryman Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who finished second on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit last season.