MACAO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Scott Hend, the 2013 and 2015 Macao Open champion, will lead a group of seven former winners to challenge defending champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand for the 2017 crown, organizer of the 2017 Macao Golf Open said on Friday.
The 2017 Macao Golf Open will take place at the Macao Golf & Country Club on Oct. 19-22, and once again field with 144 of the world's most seasoned professionals and the region's upcoming amateur talents.
The picturesque venue has provided a happy hunting ground for the Australian star, who also finished as runner-up in 2014, and the 44-year-old will look to become the first golfer ever to hold aloft the Macao Open trophy for a third time.
Hend currently shares the distinction with Chinese golfing legend Zhang Lianwei, who won in 2001 and 2002, as two-time winners of the tournament.
The 2016 Asian Tour Order-of-Merit said: "The Macao Open is a popular event because we are looked after very well there. Many of the players in the field are regulars who know the course very well so it will be a tough but satisfying one to win."
The four-day tournament will continue to be organized by the Golf Association of Macao and sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
