The Web.com Tour plays its first event of 2017 on US soil this week and it is Rhein Gibson who will be looking to turn back the clock when the gun goes off Thursday.

Gibson, one of seven Australians in this week’s field, came close to winning at the Le Triomphe course in Louisiana in 2015 before being overtaken in the final round by former US Amateur champion Kelly Kraft.

A stunning opening round of 9-under-par 62 that year set up Gibson’s good result but two back nine bogeys on Sunday saw him finish one behind and he will be keen for revenge this year.

Joining Gibson in the field this week are perennial Web.com player Steve Allan, former PGA TOUR players Robert Allenby and Peter Lonard and rookie Jamie Arnold.

Nick Cullen and David Lutterus complete the Australian contingent having pre-qualified earlier this week.

Arnold has missed the cut in all four events he has played to date and is yet to break 70 in 2017 but is a golfer of good pedigree and a form turnaround will surely come soon.

While Arnold is finding his feet on the secondary circuit Robert Allenby is getting his first taste of the Web.com Tour, making his third start for the year this week.

Allenby played the PGA TOUR the last two years on special exemption categories and is now faced with the prospect of a full year on the secondary Tour to try to regain his status.

A four-time winner at the top level the question for the Victorian is whether he can regain the confidence required to once again play the world’s most competitive circuit.

Peter Lonard is another who has won on the PGA TOUR but his focus this year is on preparing for the over 50’s Tour.

He will reach the milestone in July this year and has been playing the secondary Tour the past two seasons to try to keep his tournament game sharp in readiness.

Lonard has played this event twice previously with a missed cut in 2011 and his best finish, T57, coming the following year.