Koh Samui, Thailand: Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand will be aiming for an impressive third win at the Queen’s Cup when he defends his title at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event which starts on Thursday.

The Thai veteran, who holds an unprecedented 18 Asian Tour titles, will contend against the elite field despite nursing a leg injury when he tees up at the Santiburi Samui Country Club, which is known as the ‘Beast of Samui’ due to its challenging layout.

“I expected to do better in the tournaments that I’ve played this season but given my leg injury earlier, I guess it’s still acceptable. If I can get back my good form, I will be happy to chase for a 19th win!” said Thaworn, who also won the Queen’s Cup in 2012.

The 48-year-old Thaworn will challenge for honours against an in-form Mardan Mamat of Singapore, India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia, who is ranked fourth on the Order of Merit and eight-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, also a former winner of the Queen’s Cup in 2013.

Other notable names in the elite field include India’s Rashid Khan, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Paul Peterson of the United States and the consistent Jeunghun Wang of Korea.

“I managed to get some rest over the last two weeks so I am looking forward to play again. This course suits my game. Hitting it long will not be much of an advantage here. The course is quite hilly so you need to be physically fit to perform. I am confident of winning here anytime but I need to get my ‘A’ game back,” said Thaworn.

He says the leg injury is a sign of ‘old age’ and it has cost him some accuracy with his irons.

“The greens are small here so iron shots are important. I have been working a lot on my irons because I haven’t been hitting it well since the beginning of the year. That could be due to my leg injury earlier but it’s getting better now,” added the Thai.

India’s Chawrasia hopes to continue his fine form after notching two top-10s in three appearances including a second place result at the Hero Indian Open where he was defeated in a play-off.

“It’s my first time playing in the Queen’s Cup. It’s a really beautiful place and I’m enjoying it so far. I was struggling with my putting earlier so I practised a lot before coming here. The game is in good shape now,” said the 37-year-old Chawrasia.

“This is a very challenging golf course. It’s very narrow and it’s a tree-lined course. You have to hit it straight and putt well to score,” he added.

Highly-rated Gavin Green of Malaysia, who joined the play-for-pay rank last week, is brimming with excitement as he will be playing in his first Asian Tour event as a professional.

“Playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last week has prepared me well for my debut at the Queen’s Cup. I am feeling very excited as it’s my first time here! Knowing that I can play in the same field as all the golfing greats from Thailand, like Thaworn, is just very inspirational,” said Green, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation.

“The course is very narrow and when the wind kicks in, I think it will play really tough. I am looking forward to this week and I will definitely give it my best,” added the 21-year-old, who became the first amateur to win on the ADT last year.

Peterson, who secured three top-10s in five starts this season, will be looking to extend his good run of form when he steps up to the tee on Thursday.

“The season has been excellent. I had a great start to the season and to get to where I am right now through five starts is just great. This is a golf course that suits my game in terms of accuracy off the tee. I hope to continue my good form this week,” said the 26-year-old American, placed seventh on the Merit rankings.