After a disappointing outing at last week’s Shenzen International Scott Hend will be looking to get back in contention when the Volvo China Open tees off this week in Beijing.

Missing the cut in Shenzen, where he finished T4 in 2016, will have stung for a player whose record in Asia is so good and he’ll be keen to right the ship this week in a tournament where he produced a T6 finish last year.

Hend and 2013 champion Brett Rumford spearhead a strong Australasian challenge at the Topwin Golf Club with both European and One Asia Tour members in the field.

Euro regulars Jason Scrivener, Sam Brazel, Andrew Dodt, Nathan Holman and Ryan Fox will be joined by One Asia Tour qualifiers Nick Cullen, Jordan Zunic, Jason Norris, Michael Sim, Steven Jeffress, Lincoln Tighe, David Mackenzie and Matt Guyatt.

New Zealand’s Michel Hendry also earns a start courtesy of his position inside the top 250 on the Official World Golf Rankings.

Hend will be the favourite among the Australasians having torched the course with a final round 64 last year to climb from a share of 25th inside the top 10.

The long hitting Queenslander has been relatively quiet this season after a breakout 2016 and after consecutive missed cuts his motivation will be high.

Rumford, too, will be motivated after some solid play last week in Shenzen under difficult circumstances.

Constant weather delays are always a test of a player’s patience and Rumford’s T14 finish suggest there is a lot to like ab out his game at the moment.

Having won back his card in brilliant fashion with a home victory at the ISPS Handa Perth Super 6 tournament in February Rumford is playing with no pressure and seems to be enjoying his time on the golf course.

While an important week for all players in the field the week brings an added dimension for those stepping up from the OneAsia Tour.

A place in the field of a European Tour event is a significant opportunity with a win guaranteeing status on the world’s second biggest Tour and high finishes catching the notice of other tournament directors.

In recent years both Scott Hend and Nathan Holman have played their way onto the European Tour with victory and all eight teeing up this week will be looking to emulate that feat.