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A look at the leading contenders for the Volvo Masters of Asia

The season's grand finale of the Asian Tour, the Volvo Masters of Asia, tees off at Thai Country Club on Thursday with title holder Shiv Kapur of India taking on the top-60 players from the UBS Order of Merit.

We look at the title contenders who are tipped to sparkle in this week's US$650,000 event:


JEEV MILKHA SINGH
Jeev will enter the week as firm favourite. The Indian star has enjoyed a phenomenal run of form since winning the Volvo China Open in April. He has also won the Volvo Masters in Spain, the Casio World Open and Golf Nippon Series JT Cup in Japan within the space of six weeks since late October. He also registered 14 other top-10s around the world and has broken into the world's top-50. He has also secured his first Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit title. While he is chasing a unique hat-trick of Volvo titles, Jeev is also bidding to win the season-ending championship of three of the world's main tours, the European, Japan and Asian Tours.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 1st
VMA Record
2005: T40th
2004: T9th
2003: Did not play
2002: Did not play


SHIV KAPUR
Shiv broke through in a big way by lifting the Volvo Masters of Asia title at Thai Country Club last year with a tournament record of 20-under-par 268. The young Indian has matured into a top-class player and has secured his card on the European Tour. In a year where he also earned his Major debut at the British Open, Shiv has registered two top-10s on the Asian Tour and four other top-20s.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 8th
VMA Record
2005: Winner


THONGCHAI JAIDEE
Thongchai will be one of the favourites on home soil. He won the 2003 Volvo Masters of Asia at Bangkok Golf Club and will fancy his chances this week, after regaining his putting touch. Endured a sluggish mid-season run of form but played superbly to finish third at the UBS Hong Kong Open last month. Enjoyed a tied ninth finish at the WGC-American Express Championship in Ireland earlier this year which was a career-first for the Thai. Was also second in his defence of the Maybank Malaysian Open and third at the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 3rd
VMA Record
2005: T27th
2004: 5th
2003: Winner
2002: T32nd


ANDREW BUCKLE
Andrew has proven time and again that he has the game to succeed abroad. With two runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour this season, the talented Australian also secured his US PGA Tour card through the Nationwide Tour in America where he had won on his debut event. Andrew is rated as one of the best ball strikers on Tour and he enjoys Thai Country Club where he finished sixth last season.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 4th
VMA Record
2005: 6th


PROM MEESAWAT
The burly Prom has enjoyed his best season to date, breaking through for his maiden victory on the Asian Tour with success at the SK Telecom Open in Korea in May. Has also registered two other top-10s, including a play-off loss to compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil at the Crowne Plaza Open in China. Prom says he does not fancy the Thai Country Club but with a superb short game, he could well be amongst the frontrunners at the weekend.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 2nd
VMA Record
2005: T11th
2004: T22nd


JYOTI RANDHAWA
Jyoti has also been playing some wonderful golf in recent months. He claimed the Indian Open title for the second time in October and has five other top-10s this season. He also successfully retained his card on the European Tour with ease. Jyoti holds an impressive record at the Volvo Masters of Asia, winning the title in 2004 after beating Terry Pilkadaris of Australia in a play-off and was second last year to Shiv. He was also third in the event in 2003.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 6th
VMA Record
2005: 2nd
2004: Winner
2003: 3rd
2002: T32nd


BRAD KENNEDY
Brad has enjoyed a successful return to form with two third place finishes this season, including at the Barclays Singapore Open, Asia's richest national Championship. The Australian is one of the steadiest players on Tour and could be a dark horse at this week's Volvo Masters of Asia.

UBS Order of Merit ranking: 9th

December 13, 2006