GOLF EUROPEAN TOURWORLD NUMBER 13 Henrik Stenson has two reasons to perform well in this week's €1.44 million Asian Open. The Swede wants to reclaim top spot from Trevor Immelman on the European Tour order of merit after the South African's win at the US Masters, and he is keen to make amends after losing in Shanghai to Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in a play-off in 2006.

"It is never fun to lose a play-off, but I know I can play well at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club," the big-hitting Stenson said. "I am very motivated to try to go one better this time."

Among Stenson's likely title rivals is twice US Open champion Retief Goosen.

The South African, who has dropped out of the world's top 20 after an indifferent 2007, has shown glimpses of his best in recent weeks, tying for 17th at the Masters after finishing runner-up to Australian Geoff Ogilvy at the WGC-CA Championship in Miami.

Goosen has fond memories of the country, having claimed back-to-back wins at the China Masters in 2005 and 2006."It's (Tomson Pudong) a tough driving course, you need to drive straight. I enjoy playing it," he said.

Holder Raphael Jacquelin has returned to chase the first prize of €243,507 at the event which is jointly sanctioned with the Asian Tour.

There is a large Irish contingent in Shanghai, including last week's winner Damien McGrane. The first-time winner on tour is joined by Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie

Former world number one Greg Norman (53), makes a rare European Tour appearance, while India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Chapchai Nirat of Thailand lead a strong Asian contingent and local hope Liang Wenchong flies the flag for China.