Fresh off another victory on the Japan Golf Tour a fortnight ago, Park is brimming with confidence ahead of his title defence at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club. 

However, he is not taking anything for granted, insisting his task is now made tougher by the quality field from the three Tours.

“It’s obviously great to be back in a tournament which I’ve won before and returning as the defending champion. I felt I was lucky with my low winning score last year. Everything worked in my favour then,” Park said.

“I’m not taking anything for granted as this golf course is very challenging and I believe it’ll be a level playing field for everyone. Nobody will have an advantage and all of us will start off equal.”

“I felt I was lucky with my low winning score last year. Everything worked in my favour then.” – Sanghyun Park

The 36-year-old had a season to remember last year when he won twice and capped another three top-10s to finish second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and crowned the Rookie of the Year.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond is ready to put up a challenge befitting of his status as the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader. 

Jazz’s rise, which he credited to his country’s elder statesman like Thongchai Jaidee, has been well documented with his victories in Singapore and Korea this year and for this week’s 35th Shinhan Donghae Open, the 23-year-old will turning to Zimbabwean Scott Vincent  for advice given the latter’s impressive record at the tournament.

Japan’s Shugo Imahira, who is the highest ranked Japanese this week, will be hoping to make it a memorable week in what is going to be his first competitive start in Japan in his distinguished career which has seen him win twice on the Japan Golf Tour and topping their money list last year.