Beijing: Defending champion Gaurav Ghei hopes to battle his way through a strong Japanese field to defend his title at the Pine Valley Beijing Open which tees off on Thursday.

“It’s great to be back here. Returning to an event which I have won before is always special,” said Ghei.

The top Asian Tour stars who will be seen in action at the event —tri-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour, the Asian Tour and China Golf Association — include Korean youngster Noh Seung-yul, who finished runner-up at the Maekyung Open last week, former Asia No. 1s Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, fScott Hend and local favourite Zhang Lian-Wei.

The Japanese contingent will feature their winning stars — Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Katsumasa Miyamoto, Hiroyuki Fujita and Sushi Ishigaki.

“Defending a title is very tough but no one can take away the fact that I was the first-ever winner of this event last year. There is a strong Japanese field here and that would make it a real challenge out there so we’ll see what happens,” said Ghei, who won the 2006 Mercuries Taiwan Masters that ended his 11-year drought on the Asian Tour.