After a week off to recharge the batteries
Nathan Holman will spearhead a strong Australian challenge at this week’s
co-sanctioned Maybank Malaysia Championship.

The 24-year-old had a shaky start to his
rookie European Tour season but improved each of his last two starts in Qatar
and Dubai and will be keen to be among the contenders this week.

Holman has good form in the event, which
replaces the Malaysian Open on the schedule, finishing T11 last year to share
top Australian honours with Wade Ormsby.

While the tournament has shifted venues
from Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club to the highly regarded Selangor Golf
Club, the move shouldn’t worry Holman whose form is on an upward trajectory.

Similarly Scott Hend will be worth watching
this week as he returns to his comfort zone of Asia.

Hend’s good results tend to come in runs
and after a T8 last start at the Dubai Desert Classic he will be keen to get
underway this week.

A long time Asian Tour player, Hend has
plenty of experience in the conditions the players will face this week and
traditionally plays well in this part of the world.

In all 11 Australians take their place in
the field, Holman and Hend joined by Andrew Dodt, Wade Ormsby and Marcus Fraser
from the European Tour while Sam Brazel, Kalem Richardson, Terry Pilkadaris,
Scott Barr, Adam Groom and Unho Park step up from the Asian Tour.

As always the co-sanctioning arrangement
presents a big opportunity for the Asian Tour players with a European Tour card
up for grabs for a win.

Sam Brazel has picked up where he left off
after an impressive 2015 and while a win might be ambitious there is no reason
he can’t be in the mix come Sunday.

The purse this week is also one of the
biggest of the year for the Asian Tour players and a good result here would go
a long way towards securing next year’s playing privileges.