Crans Montana, Switzerland: South Africa’s Jbe Kruger, who currently sits atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit rankings, knows he has to look no further than the top of the Swiss Alps to consolidate his position when the Omega European Masters gets underway on Thursday.

Having arrived at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club which is set amidst a stunning backdrop with the Swiss Alps in full view, Kruger is hopeful that he can continue to cement his place at the top.

“That’s where I want to be,” said Kruger pointing to the top of the Alps. “My goal is still the same, which is to win the Order of Merit title.”

While his rivals know that he is the man to beat for the Order of Merit crown, Kruger, who rose to the top of the rankings courtesy of his breakthrough victory at the Avantha Masters in February, is unfazed and is opting to adopt a relaxed attitude.

“It’s going to be a relaxing week, simply because the surroundings just make it to be so relaxed,” said Kruger.

“I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself and if I can do that, the results will speak for themselves,” added the 26-year-old,

Kruger also knows that he will have to pace himself for the busy and lucrative second half of the Asian Tour season where there will be 15 events taking place till December with over US$30 million in total prize money on offer.

“Every week is going to be very important from here especially this week since it’s such a big tournament,” said Kruger.

“I’m definitely going to play more in Asia in the second half as compared to the first so it’s going to be very hectic and I’ve to take one week at a time,” added Kruger.

Meanwhile 2010 Asian Tour Rookie of the year, Rikard Karlberg hopes to get back to his winning ways again.

Since landing two prized Tour titles in India during his rookie year, the Swede has not tasted success. It is a situation that Karlberg hopes to change as he embarks on the second half of the Tour season.

“The first half has been nothing spectacular. It was not bad but not great either. I haven’t really had that good finish or a good weekend but I’m feeling positive all over again after spending my summer holidays back in Europe,” said the Swede whose best result this season was a tied-16th finish at the Maybank Malaysian Open in April.

With many high-profiles events including this week’s Omega European Masters coming up, Karlberg has set his sights on a grandstand finish.

“A top-three finish this week would be nice,” said Karlberg.

“As for the season, I finished third in my rookie year and I’m looking to finish number one this year. I want to do better than my first year and I know that I can do it. You just have to take care of the big ones,” added Karlberg.

Other notable Asian Tour stars expected to mount a strong challenge at the Omega European Masters include 13-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, Korean-American rookie David Lipsky, India’s Anirban Lahiri and Bangladesh’s Siddikur.

They will come up against a stellar world-class field that includes Major champions Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Australian Greg Norman at the Omega European Masters which is the first event in Europe to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour since 2009.