Korean newcomer Kang Sung-hoon will enjoy home support in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at Nam Seoul Country Club next week.

Kang shot to prominence at the Ballantine's Championship in Jeju Island where he narrowly lost in a three-way play-off to Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and he will be hoping to redeem himself with another worthy performance.

The 21-year-old Korean is highly rated following his gold medal win at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha and stints with the Korean national team from between 2003 to 2006.

While he failed to secure a top-40 finish at the Asian Tour qualifying school earlier this season, the talented youngster took full advantage of his appearance in Jeju to already secure full playing rights in Asia in 2010.

Now, Kang is looking for a winning performance at the popular Maekyung Open and feels he is capable of riding on his rich vein of form going into the ninth leg of this season's Asian Tour Schedule.

"Finishing second at the Ballantine's Championship was clearly one of my best finishes since I turned professional and I'm hoping to do better this time round," said Kang, who is fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

"The crowd at Jeju Island was fantastic. They were always cheering me on and giving me encouragement. I hope to receive the same kind of support from the fans again in Seoul," added the Korean upcoming star.

Besides home advantage, Kang will be banking on his mental strength that he has gained and sharpened during his memorable week in Jeju.

"I've learnt to handle myself well under pressure in Jeju Island, especially against such an elite field. The field next week is no different and I believe I'm ready to meet the challenges ahead," said Kang who is seeking his maiden win since turning professional at the end of 2006.

Kang will be among the local brigade keen to keep the Maekyung trophy firmly on home soil for the fifth straight year as no international winner since former British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia of the United States in 2004 has won the event.

The event has been dominated by Korean stars through the success of Choi Sang-ho (2005), Suk Jong-yul (2006), Kim Kyung-tae (2007) and Hwang Inn-choon (2008).

However, with likes of Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka who won the Crowns Tournament in Japan last weekend and 10-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand teeing off, the home domination may be threatened.

Other Asian Tour standouts who will be vying for a slice of the approximately US$470,000 total purse include Singapore's Mardan Mamat who has enjoyed two top-10 finishes this season, three-time Asian Tour winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia and India's Gaganjeet Bhullar who recently clinched a place in the upcoming British Open in July.

The Maekyung Open, slated for May 14-17, will be sanctioned with the Korean Golf Association and is the second Asian Tour event in Korea this season.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han is delighted to return to Korea and is looking forward to another exciting week ahead. "We will continue to work closely with our partners in Korea to ensure that world-class events are staged in the country which will continue to help the game of golf grow across Asia."