Chonburi, Thailand: Defending champion Lee Westwood of England is eyeing another return to the summit when he takes on a stellar field at the US$1 million Thailand Golf Championship which starts on Thursday.

The former world number one has lifted the prestigious Thailand Golf Championship trophy twice in 2011 and 2014.

With his only victory this year coming in Indonesia, Westwood hopes it will be a return to another happy hunting ground for him in Asia this week.

“It’s lovely to be back and having won again last year makes it all the more special. I’ve always played well in Asia and it’ll be nice to win the Thailand Golf Championship for the third time,” said Westwood.

“The golf course is in great condition and we got a great field assembled here once again. The forecast is looking good and I can’t wait to get it going tomorrow,” added Westwood.

Meanwhile Major winner Bubba Watson will be looking to better his tied-25th finish he posted at the Amata Spring Country Club last year.

Fresh off another career victory in Bahamas last week, the big-hitting left-hander from Florida is highly motivated and excited with the opportunity to extend his winning run into Asia.

“I love it here and I love the golf course. It’s always fun coming out here. I love the new tee on the second hole and we enjoyed taking the boat out and feeding the fishes on the 17th green.

“I’ve never really played well here but I hope to change that this week,” said the world number four, who is the highest ranked player this week.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke will be keeping an eye on the Asian challenge while mapping out his own strategy on how to win the Thailand Golf Championship in his fourth attempt.

“I know Jeev’s very excited and will be announcing his team next week. But Europe has a very strong young team and with the addition of Lee and Ian Poulter as the two wildcard picks, it’ll bring a very good balance to my team,” said Clarke who will captain Team Europe at next month’s EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM.

“As for the Thailand Golf Championship, they made a few subtle changes around the golf course like taking out a bunker on 15 and adding a new tee on the second hole. But overall, the golf course is very good and I’m looking forward to the week ahead,” added Clarke.

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.

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.