Defending champion Scott Hend will start among the favourites but Lismore golfer Sam Brazel could be one to watch at this week’s co-sanctioned Hong Kong Open.

Hend, whose victory last year saw him play his debut season on the European Tour at age 42 in 2015, comes into the week confident after victory at the Macau Open but Brazel, too, has cause to be optimistic.

The 37-year-old from northern NSW is on a streak of five made cuts and with a top-10 finish last week in Macau, despite his worst score of the week coming in the final round with a 71, is in the midst of his best Asian Tour season in three years.

In 2015, Brazel has earned more money from less starts than his previous two years in Asia and, like his fellow Australians on the Asian Tour, will be looking to make the most of the final co-sanctioned tournament opportunity 2015 offers.

In all 16 Australians will take their place in the field in Hong Kong spearheaded by European Tour regulars Hend, Andrew Dodt, Wade Ormsby, Marcus Fraser, Jason Scrivener and Daniel Gaunt.

From the Asian Tour Brazel will be joined by Adam Groom, Jake Higginbottom,  Marcus Both, Kieran Pratt, Nathan Holman, Kalem Richardson, Terry Pilkadaris, Scott Barr and Unho Park.

The Australians will have their work cut out if they are to contend with a strong field gathering for the tournament.

Two time winner Miguel Angel Jimenez will be joined by American star Patrick Reed, World Number 7 Justin Rose and Major winners Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell.

Hend, though, will like his chances despite the big names in the field after not only showing a liking for the course last year but coming off a 20-under-par performance in Macau as a warm-up.

The Queenslander generally follows one good performance with another and after four straight sub 70 rounds his confidence will be high heading to Hong Kong.

With Marcus Fraser the only Australian currently inside the top-60 on the Race to Dubai all the Australians have plenty to play for this week, Jason Scrivener and Daniel Gaunt likely getting their last chance to join the top-110 earners and guarantee playing rights for next year.

For the Asian Tour regulars Hend’s performance last year will be a motivator, all knowing that one good week can be enough to change the course of a career.