Marking the first non-International Series event on the Asian Tour schedule in over a month, a strong Australian contingent has once again gathered to chase a title that has so far eluded their compatriots.

Outside the Aussies, recent Presidents Cup captain’s pick Si Woo Kim headlines the field, while a host venue that is somewhat unique in Japan with a tournament hosting history.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Played only on the Korean Tour for the last two years due to COVID, the event was won by Yo-Seop Seo in 2021.

The Korean reached 15-under-par at the Bear's Best Cheongna layout to defeat countryman Min-Gyu Cho by a solitary stroke.

COURSE: Found in the Nara Prefecture, Koma Country Club is a 27-hole complex that has previously hosted the Japan PGA Championship and the Kansai Open on the Japan Golf Tour in the past.

RIGHT: Si Woo Kim makes a return to Asia before he tees it up at the Presidents Cup later this month. PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

Unlike many of the great Japanese courses designed by local architects or with influence from the well-known names in the course building game, Koma is the work of a player who turned their hand to course design in Gary Player.

Player created the layout that opened in 1980 and was overseen by founder of this event’s title sponsor Shinhan Financial Group’s Heui-keon Lee.

Lacking the common double greens of many courses in the region, Koma moves through a heavily treed piece of land, with some holes the beneficiary of signicant clearing to open things up with bunkering as the main dictator of playing strategy.

The course will measure 7,043 yards this week and play to a par of 72, with late scoring opportunities on offer via two short par-4s played either side of a par-5 to close the round.

PRIZEMONEY: KRW 1,400,000,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Si Woo Kim certainly has not had his best so far in 2022, with most of his best golf coming earlier in the year. However, a solid showing at St Andrews (T15) and his imminent second Presidents Cup appearance should have the Korean in good spirits as he heads to Japan.

Three times a winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2017 Players Championship, Kim is a player with “unlimited potential” according to his International Team captain Trevor Immelman and a likely contender here on the back of his high level ball striking.

Brad Kennedy is never far from the action when playing in Japan. PHOTO: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images.

Of the Aussie contingent, the evergreen Brad Kennedy is always worth consideration when teeing it up in Japan.

A made cut at The Old Course came in the middle of six top-25s in Japan, and the Queenslander will be gearing up towards the Australian summer where he has been one of the most consistent performers in recent years.

Kennedy’s fellow Japan Tour stalwart Brendan Jones is back playing golf for a living after a hiatus during COVID, and although he hasn’t had his best stuff of late can never be counted out when playing in the country where he has had a stellar career.

Travis Smyth will be hoping to continue the form that has seen some good finishes in International Series events and earnt him a number of LIV Golf starts, while Taehoon Ok returns to the Asian Tour after his last start win on the circuit at home in Korea.

72-HOLE RECORD: 262 (Sang-Hyun Park, 2018)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Brad Kennedy, Todd Sinnott, Travis Smyth, Jake Higginbottom, Daniel Fox, Brendan Jones, Wonjoon Lee and Junseok Lee.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 1pm – 5pm)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 1pm – 5pm)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 1pm – 5pm)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 1pm – 5pm)
*AEST, check local guides