Khon Kaen, Thailand: Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin is determined for a good showing that will restore that much-needed confidence when the King’s Cup gets underway on Thursday.

The 37-year-old, who won the inaugural King’s Cup in 2009, has struggled to hit top form for most parts of this season, missing the cuts in his last three events and languishing in 104th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Chan, a two-time Asian Tour winner, however believes a return to his ‘lucky’ ground will spark a revival that he badly needs as it was at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club that he emerged victorious five years ago.

“I haven’t been playing well this season and hopefully things will change soon. I have a good feeling I’ll do well this week as this is my lucky place and just being back here brings back lots of positive vibes.

“Golf is a funny game. You only need one good week to get your game back on track and with all these factors in mind, I hope to be back on form again,” said Chan.

Chan earned his maiden breakthrough on the region’s premier Tour after winning a three-way play-off at the King’s Cup in 2009.

To date, Chan remains the only international player to have won the King’s Cup as the the revered King’s Cup has been kept on home soil with home favourites Udorn Duangdecha (2010), Arnond Vongvanij (2012) and Prayad Marksaeng (January, 2014) all featuring in the roll of honour since his win.

“I’m quite surprised I’m the only foreigner to have won the King’s Cup as there are many good players in the region who can compete and win this tournament.

It’s going to be an interesting week as everyone will be going for top honours this week,” said the ever-smiling Chan.

No less than 20 Asian Tour champions including merit champion, Thaworn Wiratchant, Australia’s Scott Hend, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and India’s Rashid Khan and Anirban Lahiri are expected to headline the King’s Cup, which apart from the Asian Tour Qualifying School held in January this season, is one of four events to feature in Thailand on the Asian Tour Schedule.

In-form Khan, who sealed his second Asian Tour win in Chiangmai, a fortnight ago, is looking for a treble of victories this season.

Like Chan, the Indian is also feeling lucky ahead of his challenge at this week’s US$500,000 event.

“I’m really excited with this week’s King’s Cup as this is my first time in Khon Kaen. Thailand is one of the luckiest places for me because I won my second tournament here and I’m back to play another tournament.

“Winning outside India was one of the best feelings I experienced. It was the same kind of feeling I experienced when I won in India. Normally all players want to win outside their country to make their country proud and I’m glad I did it,” said Khan.

The 23-year-old believes his improved mental strength will stand in his favour as he seeks to end his Asian Tour season on a high note.

“My game changed a lot since I started working with my mental trainer, who has taught me to be calmer to be on the golf course and be more focused. It’s working now. Before I was too aggressive on the golf course as there were so many things going through my mind. That was wrong and I’m not making too many mistakes now and just playing the way it is,” said Khan.

Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman is meanwhile happy to be back in action again having been side-lined by a lower back injury that took him out of competitive golf for close to two months.

His first return after injury saw him finishing tied for fifth in India last month and the 30-year-old is excited being on the comeback trail.

“This is my first visit to Khon Kaen and I’m really excited about the week. I’m pleased with how I’ve played since I came back from my injury.

“I was nervous as I didn’t know what to expect following such a long lay-off. But it has been good so far. I miss the competitive atmosphere and playing in the big tournaments but told myself that such is life and you got to accept this. Anyway, I’m back and that’s all that matters now,” said Siddikur.