Manila: Malaysia’s Arie Irawan returns to the country of his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) triumph ready to put up another winning performance at the US$100,000 Aboitiz Invitational which tees off on Wednesday.


Arie, the only player to win twice on the ADT so far this season, will headline an international cast of players from 20 countries including Order of Merit leader Hsieh Chi-hsien of Chinese Taipei, American Casey O’Toole and Australian Jake Stirling at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Legends course.


Defending champion Antonio Lascuna will spearhead the local challenge alongside three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que, 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan and young prospect Miguel Tabuena in what is the ADT’s third stop in the Philippines this season.


Arie had claimed his breakthrough victory at the season-opening event on home soil in January before securing his second ADT title, which was also his first overseas win, in the Philippines in April.


“It’s great to be back in the Philippines. This is where I played my first event as a professional back in 2013 and it is also where I won my second ADT title and first outside of Malaysia. I’m feeling the good vibes coming back this week,” said the 24-year-old Malaysian.


Ranked third on the current Order of Merit thanks to two victories and four top-10s, Arie is determined not to leave anything to chance in his pursuit for more glory.


“The golf course is in a great condition. I think the scores will be pretty low but it all depends on the wind and weather conditions this week. I have been working hard on every aspects of my game especially my ball striking and putting. I hope to play my best,” added Arie.


Other notable players include Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who claimed a record fifth ADT victory in May, Sean Riordan of New Zealand, 2012 ADT Order of Merit winner Jay Bayron of the Philippines as well as Thai duo Nirun Sae-Ueng and Itthipat Buranatanyarat.


Since it was inaugurated in 2010, the ADT has grown from five events in the first year to 21 tournaments in 2014. A record total of 24 tournaments has been confirmed for the 2015 season with a couple more to be announced in due course.


The ADT will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2016.


With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT.