Taipei: Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader, will headline a strong cast of rising stars at the Ambassador ADT which starts on Thursday.

Big-hitting Gavin Green of Malaysia, Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand make up a truly strong field at the Hsin Feng Golf and Country Club as they currently occupy the top-four positions on the Order of Merit behind Pavit.

Defending champion Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei will spearhead the local charge in the US$120,000 ADT event alongside new winners Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden, George Gandranata of Indonesia, John Michael O’Toole and Josh Salah of the United States.

Hsieh Chi-hsien, who finished second on the ADT Order of Merit last year, is tipped to contend alongside Lin Wen-tang, Yeh Weh-tze, Hung Chien-yao and talented youngster Lee Chieh-po.

This week’s event will provide another opportunity for the likes of Green and Lin to consolidate their bid for an Olympic Games appearance as they currently occupy the final two slots in the top-60 of the men’s qualifying ranking, which deadline is July 11.

The 27-year-old Pavit won his fifth ADT title in Taipei last month after defeating local star Lin in a play-off at. He hopes to continue his winning streak at the Ambassador ADT and cement his position atop the Merit list.

With three other top-five results, Pavit is among the favourites to win this week.

“It is always nice to return to Taipei. The local players take good care of us and I feel like I’m home here. I’ve enjoyed many good results here and I hope I can continue my good form. The goal is to stay on top of the Order of Merit,” said Pavit.

“I have fond memories in Taipei and the courses here are very challenging. I’ve been playing well lately so I hope to keep up with my good form,” he added.

The staging of the Ambassador ADT, which is sponsored by the Yeangder Group, will provide an opportunity for the local golfers to stake a claim at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August as the winner will receive six Official World Golf Ranking points.

The ADT, which was inaugurated in 2010 as the gateway to the premier Asian Tour, will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2017.