South African star Branden Grace plans to live up to his top billing by winning the US$1.1 million Venetian Macao Open starting on Thursday and closing out another amazing season on a high.

The world number 14, who has triumphed twice this year and posted six top-10s around the world, is the highest ranked golfer in the field which includes title holder Scott Hend, reigning Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke and vice captain Ian Poulter, who is making a return from injury.

On his arrival today, the 28-year-old Grace declared: “This is my first time to Macao and I’m very excited to be here. I’m sure the week will be fun on and off the golf course. I’ve been to Vegas but it’s nice to see a place like this outside the States. It’s phenomenal. I’ve not got lost in a hotel before but I did earlier coming from the hotel lobby!”

Grace is hoping to achieve what fellow countryman and golfing legend Ernie Els failed to do, by winning The Venetian Macao Open. “Ernie has been here many times and says it’s a fantastic place and the tournament is run the way it should be. Being top 15 in the world should be an advantage and hopefully I’ll be there or there abouts at the end of the week.”

The South African star successfully retained his Qatar Masters title at the start of the year and then claimed a breakthrough victory in the United States, winning the RBC Heritage in April. He also enjoyed top-five finishes at the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, which reinforced his growing reputation as a potential Major winner.

“I’ve ticked off so many of my goals,” said Grace, who also won the China Open in 2012. “I’m trying to sneak into the world’s top 10 and stay there, which has been a big target all year. It’s been a great season, and I’ve been consistent enough to stay in the top 15. I want to try to win this week and take that momentum into the weeks coming up.”

But with 43 tour winners, seven players from the current top 10 and five Order of Merit champions in the field, Grace is not the only big name in contention.

After spending the past two years as captain of the European Ryder Cup team, veteran Clarke is keen to get back into individual mode again. “I couldn’t think of a better place to do that than starting here in Macao. It’s almost like a fresh start for me in terms of playing and I’m excited to be back,” said the former British Open winner, who featured in the Macao Open back in 1999.

“I played nine holes this morning with Ian Poulter and the trees are now a lot bigger than they were the last time I was here. We used to take some short cuts but I don’t think we can do that now. My priorities in the past two years have been towards the Ryder Cup, but obviously that’s now finished and from my own and the European perspective we had a disappointing result. I couldn’t have done any more, so now I’ve got to get back to the day job and try to hit some straight golf balls.”

Lahiri, winner of The Venetian Macao Open in 2014 and runner-up in 2013 and last year, is looking to triumph again at one of his favourite hunting grounds on the Asian Tour.

“The golf course is a big challenge. I had some tough years here in my rookie years and I’ve learned to play the golf course. I think I kind of changed my game to adapt to it,” said the Indian professional, who is 47 under par here over the past three seasons.

“We’ve had a lot of healthy competition over the years and to see The Venetian Macao Open grow into such a major event is fantastic. This [course] has got the charm of an old school club and challenges you to hit shots, especially when the wind is up. I love the challenge and that is what inspires me to play well here.”

Two-time Macao Open winner Zhang Lian-wei, who has only missed the event once since its inauguration in 1998, will be among a host of top Chinese players including Liang Wen-chong, the Asian Tour number one in 2007, and youngster Dou Ze-cheng, in challenging for honours.

“I grew up with this tournament. At the beginning it was small, but there are now a lot of star players. The growth of Macao and mainland China is very fast. A big thanks to The Venetian Macao for helping with the growth of the event,” said the Chinese veteran. 

The Venetian Macao became title sponsor of the tournament in 2012 and since then has seen it develop into one of the most prestigious professional golf tournaments in the region, offering the highest purse at US$1.1 million for a full-field Asian Tour event this year. 

The 144-player championship is jointly organised by Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government (MSB) and the Golf Association of Macau. It is sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and the Golf Association of Macau, and promoted by IMG.

For more details on The Venetian Macao Open, please visit: www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com.