India's Gaganjeet Bhullar will draw inspiration from compatriot Arjun Atwal's historic win at the Wyndham Championship in the USA last month, when the Handa Singapore Classic gets underway in Singapore on Thursday.
"Whenever any Indian win a tournament or do well, it gives me the confidence to shoot for glory and I hope to do so this week," said Bhullar, who won the Asian Tour International in Thailand in February.
The 22-year-old is hoping to continue his rich vein of form after missing just two cuts this season. "My form has been good and Singapore is one of my favourite venues in Asia. The course is looking nice and the fairways are pretty tight. Overall, it looks like a straight-forward course," said Bhullar.
Reigning Asian Tour No 1 Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand would look to overcome fatigue and launch a fresh title assault. Thongchai arrived from Switzerland yesterday and is planning to make the most of his return to the Orchid Country Club, a venue he last played in 1999.
"I played a lot of tournaments this year and feel a bit tired. I have been travelling to Europe, the United States and to Asia," said the 12-time Asian Tour champion.
{{/usCountry}}"I played a lot of tournaments this year and feel a bit tired. I have been travelling to Europe, the United States and to Asia," said the 12-time Asian Tour champion.
{{/usCountry}}The three-time Order of Merit champion is one of the favourites this week and will begin his campaign against a plethora of Asian Tour stars including Australian Marcus Fraser, currently ranked second on the Order of Merit, Bhullar, Angelo Que of the Philippines and local hope Lam Chih Bing at the $400,000 Asian Tour event.
Since ending a seven-year title drought at the Ballantine's Championship in Korea in April, Fraser is yet to produce his winning form but is determined to hit a purple patch in Singapore.
"Apart from winning in Korea, my form has been okay, nothing too flashy as I haven't been able to get myself in contention. It's quite frustrating but there's still plenty of golf to play and hopefully I'll get into contention again," said the 32-year-old.