Jakarta: Kiradech Aphibarnrat will be seeking a grandstand finish to boost his world ranking when the Indonesian Masters gets under way at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club tomorrow.
As the Asian Tour's season ending and flagship event, the Indonesian Masters offers the winner 20 world ranking points and the 28-year-old Thai will be hoping to take advantage of that to end his year with a flourish.
Kiradech, who is currently ranked 56th in the world, hopes to crack the world's top 50 before the year is over to win a berth at next year's Masters.
He is brimming with confidence following a string of impressive finishes, which also included an Asian Development Tour (ADT) win at the Thongchai Jaideee Foundation on Sunday.
"The way I have been playing the last couple of months is fantastic. I am more confident to play this week especially because I am striking the ball better," he said.
"With Justin Rose and a lot of good players out here, it will not be an easy week. But with the way I am playing, I am aiming high and hope to keep knocking on the doors and give myself more opportunities.
"I think I have proved to myself that I can get back to the top 50 or top 30 in the world. The Masters is one of the best events in the world and my aim is to be part of the field at the Masters and finish inside the top five at Augusta."
Defending champion Poom Saksansin of Thailand is determined to put up a strong defence against a stellar field that features major winner Rose of England along with American Brandt Snedeker, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour.
"It feels very good to be the defending champion. I still remember the feeling of winning last year here and I want to try and repeat that," he said.