KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Gavin Kyle Green will lead the Asian Tour stars to the US$7 million CIMB Classic, which starts on Thursday.

The current Asian Tour number one will be joined by reigning Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia, David Lipsky of the United States and S.S.P. Chawrasia of India at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

Exciting Thai talents Phachara Khongwatmai, Poom Saksansin and Jazz Janewattananond will make their debuts in the CIMB Classic alongside Prayad Marksaeng, Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and Richard T. Lee of Canada.

The big-hitting Green is hoping for a good result at the CIMB Classic so that he can extend his Order of Merit lead as he aims to become the first Malaysian to win the accolade.

This will be the second time Green will be playing in the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour after his debut in 2017 when he finished tied-69th.

However, the event has taken a greater significance as the money he earns will be counted on the Order of Merit.

“This time, it will definitely be more special playing in the CIMB Classic because the money will be counted on the Order of Merit. My goals have changed so much since India (Hero Indian Open in February) and I’m thinking about the Order of Merit. It will be a huge deal to win the Order of Merit,” said Green, who will also feature in the PGA Tour’s next stop, the