The Asian Tour Order of Merit leader will spearhead a strong Asian Tour challenge featuring fellow Thais compatriots Panuphol Pittayarat and Poom Saksansin, as well as India’s Shiv Kapur, Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, all winners on the region’s premier tour.

The 23-year-old Jazz has been in the form of his life in recent months, posting four top-five finishes in his last six tournaments, including last month’s Singapore Open, where he celebrated his third Tour title.

“It’s my first time here in New Zealand. It’s been really nice so far,” said Jazz, the second Thai after Kiradech Aphibarnrat (No 36) to feature in the world’s top 100 this week.

“I didn’t expect this place to be so beautiful. I am enjoying myself out here and I think that’s the key to playing good golf. You need to first enjoy the place that you’re in before you can play well.”

The Thai No 2’s appearance at two picturesque courses, the Hills Resort and Millbrook Resort, is his third straight event “down under” after he finished tied for 27th and 13th in the ISPS Handa Vic Open in Victoria and ISPS Handa World Super 6 in Perth last month.

Defending champion Daniel Nisbet of Australia, Korea’s KJ Choi and YE Yang, the first Asian to win a Major championship, are also set to headline the long-running event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.

A total of 152 professionals from 17 countries will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort and The Hills before the halfway cut, after which the top 60 and ties will play the weekend at The Hills.

The tournament is also hosting the NZ Pro-Am Championship, in which 152 amateur players will be partnered with a professional in a two-man best-ball event.

Among the Pro-Am celebrities taking part are ex-NZ cricket captain Stephen Fleming and his long-time Australian counterpart, Ricky Ponting.