Padraig Harrington will bid for his fourth professional victory in his fourth different Aisan country when he tees it up at the inaugural Ballantine's Championship in South Korea tomorrow.
The world number 10 has a remarkable record in Asia having triumphed at the 2003 BMW Asian Open in Taiwan, the 2004 Omega Hong Kong Open in Hong Kong and the 2006 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.
The Dubliner, who will be chasing valuable Ryder Cup points at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island will be vying against home favourite KJ Choi and America's Chris DiMarco while Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Rory McIlroy are the other Irish players in the field.
Choi, based in the United Sates, is eager to leave an impression on his compatriots with victory in the European Tour's maiden event in his homeland.
"A lot of the good players around the world have come a long way to play in this tournament and I just want to be a good host," said the 37-year-old. "I'll definitely try my best to win this week."
Blustery conditions are expected but Choi insists it is important to play to the elements.
"If you try to beat nature, bad things are going to happen, so take it as it is," he said.
Choi, who won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, insists a victory can provide the momentum for a first Major win at Augusta next month, despite the huge differences between the venues.
"In Asia, the speed of the greens is a lot different than The Masters," added Choi, who was third at Augusta behind Phil Mickelson in 2004. "But the fact that I've finished in third place in The Masters gives me hope that I have a shot to win a Major.
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