Rumford won back his European tour card with victory at the innovative tournament last year and he's aiming to repeat the dose.

But he knows it won't be an easy task in a field featuring former World No.1 Lee Westwood and 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett.

As defending champion and in his home state, Rumford will start as one of the favourites at the $1.75 million event, which tees off at Lake Karrinyup on Thursday.

But he insists he's not feeling the pressure, especially with his European tour card secured until the end of this year.

"After missing my card last year there was definitely a greater incentive to win," Rumford said of his victory in 2017.

"But there's also winning in front of your home state that put greater pressure on me as well, so there were a lot of factors that I was really proud of for winning last year.

"So this year I feel as though there's definitely a bit more pressure off the shoulders."

Rumford tees off on the 13th hole after speaking to the media ahead of the 2018 ISPS HANDA World Super 6. PHOTO: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Rumford dominated the opening three rounds last year and he continued that hot form into the match play format.

The World No.332 beat Thailand's teenage whiz kid Phachara Khongwatmai in the final to secure his sixth European Tour crown.

Rumford said the unique nature of the tournament meant players needed to take a different mental approach.

"Once the match play rounds begin, it's a bit like tennis," Rumford said.

"You're not playing 154 other players all of a sudden, you're just playing five rounds and (if you win all of those), you've got a championship."

Rumford said it was a different feeling walking into Lake Karrinyup this week compared with last year.

"Your name goes from 'Rummy' to 'Defending Champion'," he said. "Everyone just seems to give you that title for the week, which is pretty cool. Maybe they're just trying to put a bit more pressure on me, but it feels good."

- Justin Chadwick, Australian Associated Press