St Andrews, Scotland: The Asian Tour’s best players will attempt to rewrite the history books when they step up to the tee at The Open which gets underway at the Home of Golf in St Andrews on Thursday


The Open remains the Holy Grail for Asia as the closest the region has come to lifting the elusive Claret Jug was in 1971 where Chinese Taipei’s Lu Liang-huan finished runner-up to Lee Trevino at Royal Birkdale.


In recent years, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee came close when he finished tied-13th at the 2009 edition in Turnberry. The three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion will have another shot at glory with his confidence bolstered by four top-10s including two runner-up finishes in Thailand and England this season.


“I’m feeling confident and it’s very exciting to be back here in St Andrews. The weather will play a very important role as it’s going to be very windy.


“It is going to be challenging to control your ball under such conditions. But I’m experienced enough to know what to do now,” said Thongchai, who is ranked 33rd in the world.


Playing in his third Open, India’s Anirban Lahiri believes adopting a positive attitude will be the best way to approach the opening rounds of The Open.


Two early wins at the start of the season followed by a healthy lead atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit has further confirmed the Indian as one of the stars widely expected to spearhead the Asian charge at the world’s oldest Major.


“It’s very exciting for me especially going into The Open this year as I would have had some Major experience behind me now.


“This is probably the sixth Major in my career so far. So it’ll be a good time for me to come here and play and hopefully I can do well,” said Lahiri.


Australia’s Scott Hend, a six-time Asian Tour winner, is also eager to mark his decade-long return to the Open Championship with a performance befitting of his reputation as one of the most successful international players on the Asian Tour.


“2005 at St Andrews was my one and only Open and I’m really excited to have a crack again.


“This is the Home of Golf and of course you would like to win a Major but if you could possibly win The Open at St Andrews, that’s just the cherry on the cake. It’s the best accomplishment for all professional golfers,” said Hend.


Other Asian Tour members who will feature at the world’s oldest Major include 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion David Lipsky of the United States, American Jonathan Moore, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg, Australia’s Marcus Fraser and China’s Liang Wen-chong.