Chawrasia’s last victory dates back to 2017 when he last won on home soil. He has only one top-10 finish on the Asian Tour last year and missed the cut in all four events he played in the Middle East since the start of this year.

The 40-year-old, however, bounced back by featuring in the weekend rounds in Malaysia and India last month and sees that as a sign of better things to come as he readies himself for the challenge at the Volvo China Open which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“The Volvo China Open is one of the biggest events for me,” Chawrasia said.

“It will mean a lot to me if I can do well here as there are many things at stake for me this week. This includes keeping my card and more playing opportunities. I haven’t been playing well but my confidence is slowing returning and I feel that I can ride on that now.”

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana is also hopeful of continuing his lightning start to his rookie season following his breakthrough in Bangladesh earlier this month.

RIGHT: Kaewkanjana is feeling self-assured ahead of the China Open. PHOTO: Stanley Chou/Getty Images. Top: Supplied by the Asian Tour.

Sadom is the record-fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour. He won his maiden Asian Tour title in what was only his first start on Tour after making the grade at Qualifying School last December.

Playing in the Volvo China Open for the first time as the newest Asian Tour champion, the 20-year-old is confident of taking on a strong field which features over 40 Asian Tour champions and five Order of Merit winners at the Genzon Golf Club.

“It’s really exciting to be playing in the Volvo China Open this week … This will be my first time playing in this event, but my confidence is really very high now and I feel like I’m capable of taking on the world,” Kaewkanjana said.

“I’m not being over confident, but I just feel that the win in Bangladesh has sparkled something in me and I can go on to do better things.”

Asian Tour board member Zhang Lianwei, who won the event in 2003, will continue to feature at the Volvo China Open. The Chinese veteran will be teeing up for the 25th time this week since the event was inaugurated in 1995.

“I’ve never missed any edition of the Volvo China Open and I won’t want to miss this event for anything,” Lianwei said.