Australian golfer Josh Cabban is bidding for a second title in three years when the Papua New Guinea Open tees off in Port Moresby this morning.
The New South Welshman has been playing in PNG for three years and arrived in the capital in good form, having coming off a tie for fourth place at last week's Morobe Open in Lae.
Josh Cabban celebrates winning the PNG Open in 2015. Photo: PGA of Australia
Cabban said the Royal Port Moresby Golf Course continued to improve year by year and he was determined to try to regain his title.
"That was a really good week for me (in 2015), I played really solid, so I'm obviously feeling comfortable here and hopefully I can just be up there on Sunday and hopefully be amongst it," he said.
"I hit it pretty good for the Pro-Am (on Wednesday), game was pretty solid - the course was playing nice - so yeah I'm looking forward to it."
Another leading contender is fellow Australian Chris Wood.
Chris Wood is fresh from winning the 2017 Morobe Open. Photo: PGA of Australia
The Queenslander is fresh off a two-shot victory at the Morobe Open in Lae and full of confidence as he targets a maiden win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
"I think that both course up here in PNG you need to put and chip well," he said.
"Especially around here you need to drive the ball better I think but chipping and putting is vital, no matter where you play."
"The whole field is pretty strong, they're all a great bunch of young golfers, some are more experienced than others and anyone can have a good week and play well, hopefully I can come out on top," said the 26 year old.
Another Australian, Brad Moules, is back in Port Moresby to defend his PNG Open title from 2016.
Fiji's Sam Lee is the highest profile Pacific golfer in the field, while the Club Resident Professional at the Royal Port Moresby Course, Nelson Gabriel, is one of 19 Papua New Guineans set to take to the course.
Josh Cabban has been impressed by the local crop.
"A lot of the local guys here - especially a lot of the local amateurs - are really just real talented golfers," he said.
"So hopefully we can maybe give them a few tips of even just motivate them to keep playing and getting on and then hopefully see them on our (Australian PGA Tour) in the years to come."
Fiji golfer Sam Lee Photo: PGA of Australia