New Zealand star Michael Campbell, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Nick Dougherty of England are set to join an elite field at the lucrative US$2 million Maybank Malaysian Open which tees off next week.
 
The starry trio will be among the strong title contenders present at the esteemed Kota Permai Golf and Country Club alongside the region’s top guns that include 2007 Asian Tour’s Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-chong of China, Thai stalwarts Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant together with Chinnarat Phadungsil, former Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh of India and compatriot Arjun Atwal.
 
But it will be Englishman Dougherty who will be eager to continue his charging form at the US$2 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour. The 2005 Singapore Masters winner enjoyed a strong campaign in Europe last year having notched seven top-10s coupled with his triumph at St Andrews.
 
New Zealander Campbell will head into the tournament hoping to emulate his start from last season in Europe. Campbell, 39, produced two top-10s finishes in his first four events in 2007 that include a runner result at his home Open.          
 
Jacquelin will be riding on his memorable 2007 Asian campaign. He chalked up a wire-to-wire success at the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai which came two years since his previous triumph in Spain.
 
Thongchai and Atwal will lead the Asian charge having a proven track record at the Open. Thongchai Jaidee won the tournament twice in 2004 and 2005 while Atwal, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, claimed the Open title in 2003.
 
The dynamic duo will be flanked by other European contenders that include Darren Clarke, David Howell, Rory McIlroy, Charl Swartzel, Oliver Fisher, Simon Dyson, Paul McGinley, and defending champion, Peter Hedblom.
 
Mark Brown of New Zealand and S.S.P Chowrasia will be expected to be in the thick of the fray as both players enjoyed their maiden breakthrough wins on the Asian Tour this season.