He’s not the highest profile Australian in the field but Asian Tour regular Terry Pilkadaris could be a player to watch at this week’s co-sanctioned Hero Indian Open.

The 43-year-old headed to the final round in New Delhi just two shots off the pace last year but stumbled to a Sunday 76 to finish outside the top 10.

It was a disappointing result for the three-time Asian Tour winner after a blistering start to the week saw him lead by three through 36 holes with scores of 67-64.

Pilkadaris will be keen to erase some of those memories this year and with a European Tour card up for grabs has no shortage of incentive to do so.

A total of seven Australians take their place in the field at the DLF Golf and Country Club, Scott Hend, Marcus Fraser, Jason Scrivener, Wade Ormsby, Todd Sinnott and Brett Rumford joining Pilkadaris.

Fraser is another who has had a close call at the tournament when he finished one shot out of a playoff for the title in 2015.

A double bogey and a bogey in his last six holes that year did the damage though on the narrowest course the players face all year dropped shots are not a rarity.

The DLF layout is almost claustrophobic with its jungle lined fairways and those who can employ a conservative game plan with the sole aim of keeping the ball in play tend to do well.

Big hitting Queenslander Scott Hend doesn’t generally fit that description however if he can rein in his aggressive nature has the power to make plenty of birdies.

Another who will need to throttle back is recent Myanmar Open winner Todd Sinnott, one of the most powerful players in the world game.

The young Victorian proved in his maiden Professional victory in January that he is capable of thoughtful play, electing to hit an iron off the tee at the par-5 72^nd hole to guarantee victory.

Sinnott’s win ensured his place on the Asian Tour with the added bonus of also gaining status on the Japan Tour and if he could manage a victory this week, he would complete the trifecta with a European Tour card.

Perhaps the form player among the Australians is recent ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth winner Brett Rumford who plays this tournament for the first time.

Not generally noted for his straight hitting, Rumford will need to rely on his famed short game if he is to contend in India though will be buoyed by his recent home town victory.

The remaining Australians in the field, Wade Ormsby and Jason Scrivener, have both played this event each of the last two years but neither has posted a finish inside the top 40.

Ormsby is playing the 2017 season on a medical exemption after a mystery neck injury last year saw him miss the bulk of the season while Scrivener comes to India off a strong showing in Perth.

The 26-year-old has missed only one cut in five tournaments this year and could be one to watch this week.