Former winner Scott Hend has foregone a European Tour start in Portugal to tee up at this week’s Macau Open in Asia, a tournament where he has a brilliant record.

Not only did the Queenslander win the event in 2013 but a runner-up finish last year, and a T6 in 2012, will have him feeling confident of his chances this week.

As he prepares for next week’s defense of the Hong Kong Open title which earned him his 2015 European Tour card, Hend will be looking to play his way into form and vault into the Race to Dubai top-60next week.

He is one of two former Australian winners playing this week, 2008 champion David Gleeson also in the field among a strong contingent of Down Under representatives.

The Macau tournament attracts one of the stronger Asian Tour fields of the year with Ernie Els and Presidents Cup star Anirban Lahiri also teeing up this week.

Among the Australians looking for a good performance to solidify their top-60 Order of Merit positions and assure playing rights for next year are Jake Higginbottom and Terry Pilkadaris.

Higginbottom is hovering in 55^th position with seven full field events left on the schedule while Pilkadaris is46^th.

In all there will be 20 Australians playing this week.