An Aussie armada of 15 professionals and amateur David Micheluzzi will be gunning for glory when they line up in the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup at Sobu Country Club in Japan this week.

It’s been more than 30 years since Brian Jones went back-to-back at the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup but the co-sanctioned tournament between the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour provides a host of Aussies with the opportunity to break the drought.

A winner already this year on the Japan Golf Tour, Brendan Jones leads the contingent of Aussies who ply their trade in Japan along with Matthew Griffin who has opened up his 2019 campaign with a runner-up finish and tie for third at The Crowns last week.

Other Japan Tour regulars in the field this week are Brad Kennedy, Won Joon Lee and Adam Bland.

After making his return from wrist surgery at last week’s Volvo China Open Brett Rumford continues his comeback to tournament golf at the Diamond Cup with Zach Murray eager to continue his outstanding start to his professional career.

Courtesy of his win at the New Zealand Open, Murray currently sits fourth on the Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity Standings and enjoyed a strong week in China last week where he was tied for 41st.

Jake Higginbottom, Terry Pilkadaris, Marcus Fraser and Travis Smyth all sit inside the top-50 on the Order of Merit early in the year with Ben Campbell to lead the Kiwi charge along with Denzel Ieremia and amateur Daniel Hillier.

Tied for fifth at the Emirates Australian Open last year, the Diamond Cup provides another wonderful opportunity for Micheluzzi to further develop his game before making the move into the professional ranks.

Seventh in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, this week is Micheluzzi’s second professional event in Japan having finished tied for 38th at the 2018 Japan Open.

Other Australians in the field this week are Cameron John, Jason Norris and Daniel Nisbet.