Reigning Asian Tour No.1 Scott Hend has provided a huge boost for next week’s Queen’s Cup by confirming his title defence at Thailand's Santiburi Samui Country Club.
The long-hitting Australian, the most successful international golfer on the Asian Tour with nine victories and one Order of Merit crown, will be the star attraction alongside home heroes Prayad Marksaeng, Thaworn Wiratchant and rising stars Phachara Khongwatmai and Rattanon Wannasrichan, the newly crowned Thailand Open champion.
"I’m looking forward to going back to defend my title. The win last year was really special as I had to fight hard on a golf course which is really demanding and challenging," Hend said.
"I remember battling with Prom (Meesawat) and Gunn (Charoenkul) in the final round which was really fun and I hope to get myself into position again on Sunday afternoon to have a chance to defend my title."
Hend’s star presence at the Queen’s Cup will complement the tournament’s growing stature as it will offer a record US$500,000 prize from 15-18 June.
Thailand is a happy hunting ground for Hend who has triumphed on three occasions in the country. He won the 2013 Chiangmai Classic, 2016 Thailand Classic and last year’s Queen’s Cup, which propelled him to become the first Australian golfer to capture the prestigious Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown.
"Winning the Queen's Cup helped me become the new Asian Tour Order of Merit winner which is an accomplishment that I will always treasure. Asia is my second home," said Hend, who has plied his trade with great success in the region since 2007.