Arjun Atwal, fresh from a four-stroke victory over European number one Retief Goosen in Malaysia in February, aims to build on his success on home soil in the Asian PGA tour's Indian Open starting on Thursday.

The 30-year-old from Calcutta picked up $183,330, the richest prize of his career, in Kuala Lumpur for his fifth Asian and second European Tour triumph at the joint-sanctioned event.

He is now eager to prove himself before local fans in India where he has not won in almost three years.

"Every week, every tournament you have to play your best," Atwal told reporters on Tuesday.

"This event is particularly important because it is my national open. A win here will be extra special."

He last won the title in 1999.

Atwal is in the top 10 in the European Tour's money list but he will have to be at his best to win at the par-72 Delhi Golf Club, which has been a happy hunting ground for main competitor and close friend Jyoti Randhawa, Asia's top golfer last year.

Randhawa won back-to-back Indian Masters titles at the same venue in 1998 and 1999 and club members bet on him getting a sub-par round every time he tees off here.

"I should do well if I can get to the top of my game," Randhawa said. "I hope to give Arjun and the rest of the field a run for their money."

Defending champion Vijay Kumar, one of India's several caddy-turned-pros and a regular winner on the country's domestic circuit, will be keen to prove last year's victory, his first on the Asian tour, was not a fluke.

The 34-year-old from Lucknow beat Rick Gibson of Canada by two shots.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, number one on the Asian tour in 2001, leads the international challenge along with South African James Kingston, who is 12th in Europe following a playoff loss to countryman Darren Fichardt at this month's Qatar Masters.

Jaidee won the Indian Open two years ago in Gurgaon.