GOLF/Malaysian Open preview:  After a nine-week break, Padraig Harrington makes his 2003 competitive debut in this week's €1.1 million Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, which starts tomorrow.

The Dubliner, now ranked ninth in the world, has slipped to fourth in the European Tour Order of Merit during his absence, and is already €304,414 behind runaway leader Ernie Els after the South African's run of four titles.

Paul McGinley, who played in Perth last week, will join his former World Cup partner in Malaysia. They are the only Irishmen in the field.

World number five Retief Goosen is aiming to complete a full house of tournament wins on every continent this week. The quiet man from South Africa has never won an individual title in Asia in his spectacular career, which blossomed in 2001 when he won his first Major at the US Open en route to winning the European Tour Order of Merit.

Goosen is the highest ranked player in this week's tournament, jointly sanctioned by the Asian PGA and European Tours, and is in good form after posting three top-fives in his four starts this year.

"I feel I'm hitting the ball pretty nicely but I just need to make a few more putts and get on a roll," Goosen said.

"My putting has let me down a little this year but in general, I'm happy with the way my game is coming along," he said.

Goosen has come close in Malaysia, finishing third in the event in 1997 and joint fifth three years ago.

"Asia is one place that I've not won before, so it'll be good to do it. This course is tough, with a lot of water hazards, and the greens can be a bit tricky but I'm looking forward to it.

"I think it's going to be the survival of the fittest," said Goosen, whose 15 international victories were achieved in the US, Europe, Australia and Africa.

Defending champion Alastair Forsyth is relishing the prospect of defending the Malaysian Open after winning the event last year in a play-off against Australia's Stephen Leaney.

"I've been looking forward to coming back," said the baby-faced Scot.

"It's always good to be somewhere you have done well before, it gives you an extra buzz."

Other top names tipped for success in Asia's richest national Open, include Lee Westwood, a former winner of the event.

Chinas Zhang Lian-wei, the only player to beat Els this year at the Caltex Masters in Singapore last month, will spearhead the Asian challenge.