Upping its Game

One of only six players to have won twice at both the US Open (1994, 1997) and the Open Championship (2002, 2012), Els will be looking to carry his recent good form, which included a win at the BMW International Open, to Macau, a city he has yet to set foot in. A win, however, would put the four-time major champion alongside a notable list of international stars such as Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie who have triumphed in Coloane.

"I am excited to be playing Macau," said the 'Big Easy', who has collected 70 professional titles over the span of his 25-year playing career. "I have never been there before but have heard many good things about the tournament as well as the city itself. The Venetian Macao is known for its world-class hospitality and entertainment and I have no doubt it will be a fantastic week on and off the course."

And Els will have reason to celebrate regardless of how he performs, as he turns 44 during the tournament. Possessor of the most rhythmical swing in the game, the tall South African didn't rule out a visit to the gaming tables once his work on the course was done.

"Time is moving on but I still love the game," said Els. "I'm trying to keep myself in half decent shape. It's exciting times. I believe I can play past 50, competitively. I still very much enjoy trying to improve ... I know the tournament has been going for quite some time and Macau is a happening city. People like to go there for fun and hopefully I can find the right number on the roulette table."

One player who absolutely had the right number last year was Gaganjeet Bhullar. The young Indian opened up with a sparkling 63 and put on an exhibition of ball-striking and he secured his fourth Asian Tour title with a 16-under-par total. Indeed, the Amritsar-born Bhullar led wire-to-wire and never looked fazed, despite a brilliant final-round charge by American Jonathan Moore who closed with a 65.

"I have great memories of my win last year in Macau," said Bhullar, who currently lies in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. "I played consistently well throughout the four days and managed to hold off some really big names, which gave me a lot of confidence. I like the course at the Macau Golf & Country Club a lot and have every reason to believe I can repeat what I accomplished last year. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Strong field aside, one other incentive that will be sure to lure plenty of fans from Hong Kong via the CotaiJet to Macau is the tournament's entry price: zero. For the second successive year, organisers have confirmed that spectators will be admitted on to the course for free throughout the course of the four days.