Chonburi, Thailand: Kiradech Aphibarnrat is ready to put up a performance befitting of his status as one of Thailand’s best players when the Thailand Golf Championship gets underway at the Amata Spring Country Club on Thursday.

Having achieved much success worldwide which included two victories in China and Scotland this year, the world number 41 returns home for his second competitive appearance on home soil this season.

Although he is up against a stellar field that includes past Thailand Golf Championship winners Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia as well as Major winners such as Martin Kaymer, Darren Clarke and Bubba Watson, the 26-year-old is quietly confident of his chances.

“It’ll be good fun this week. I always look forward to playing at home whenever the opportunity arises.

“I’ve been striking the ball very well but I’ve also been playing a lot of golf lately and I just need to have a really good rest and I’ll be ready,” said Kiradech, who broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time in his career this year.

The two-time Asian Tour winner is also seeking to become the first Thai to lift the prestigious Thailand Golf Championship as the trophy has gone into the hands of international players for four consecutive years since it was inaugurated in 2011.

“I’ll have the entire support of Team Kiradech this week. You will see everyone from my family, staff and children from my academy at Amata Spring. These are motivations good enough for me to do well,” said Kiradech,who was Asia’s number one in 2013.

Meanwhile Kaymer is returning to the Thailand Golf Championship with a point to prove.

The German finished tied second in his debut appearance last year and is determined to finish the tournament in pole position this time around.

“I came very close to winning the Thailand Golf Championship on my debut last year. So coming back here again this year makes me all the more determined take the silverware home with me this time,” said the 2014 US Open champion.

“This is my last event for the year and obviously I want to end the year on a high note. I lost out to Lee by one shot last year and I hope to do better and get the job done this week,” added Kaymer.

The fifth edition of the Thailand Golf Championship will welcome more than 15 of the world’s top-200 players. A total of 19 players in top-20 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit will also be part of the elite field from over 32 countries.

The Thailand Golf Championship is part of The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) where four places will be up for grabs to the leading four players who have not already qualified for the 2016 Open Championship.

Team Asia, captained by Jeev Milkha Singh of India, will also name its 12-man team for the EurAsia Cup following the conclusion of the Thailand Golf Championship this week.