"It'll be nice to get on a roll. I've been playing consistent and my putting has been consistent. If I can hit the ball a little better, I've got a chance to win."

He praised organisers of the Iskandar Johor Open for its rapid growth where it started as a US$300,000 event in 2007. "The main thing is the prize money, it keeps going up," said the 41-year-old. "You come here for another five years, we could be playing for seven million dollars!"

Title holder Choi, an Asian Tour honorary member, will have some good form to back up his bid for a repeat victory. He finished seventh and third in his last two events on the PGA Tour last month and was second in a domestic Korean event two weeks ago.

"It's very important to defend on the Asian Tour. Two years ago, I won the Shinhan Donghae Open back to back (on the Korean Tour). I would like to do this for the first time at the Iskandar Johor Open. I feel like this is my second home. I have good support here," said the powerful Korean.

After enjoying the "greatest moment of my golf career," Montgomerie, Europe's number one on eight occasions, is looking forward to a first trip to the Iskandar Johor Open.

"We've got a good field here and I'm looking forward to playing again in Asia. I've got a good record here actually despite how warm it is here. I feel I can get back into the world's top-50. That's the first goal. I really want to try to play in the Ryder Cup again as well," said Montgomerie, who has won titles in Singapore, Macau and China.

"I need to get the confidence back. I'm not confident on the course right now. That comes from 66s and 67s. If I start with a 67 tomorrow, that's the first rung in a very long ladder."

Malaysia's Chia feels confident lining up alongside the stars of the game. "It's always nice to get stars to Malaysia as it gives us a good opportunity to play with them and learn from them. I had a back injury two months ago and it's becoming better and I'm starting to play better. I'm looking forward to the week," he said.

The main sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). It is also supported by platinum sponsor - UEM Land Holdings Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya which is a key driver of Iskandar Malaysia and hosted by the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Other co-sponsors include 100 Plus, Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru, Blackberry, Heineken, Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd, Pulai Springs Resort, Ricoh, Srixon, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Telekom Malaysia, Titoni and Winston Wine. The official media partners are Fairways, Golf Malaysia and ParGolf. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Johor Golf Association.