South Africa's Shaun Norris, fresh off his maiden DP World Tour victory on home soil a fortnight ago, will seek to extend his winning streak when he returns to Japan for the season-opening Token Homemate Cup that starts on Thursday.

The 39-year-old powered to victory at the Steyn City Championship on the DP World Tour earlier this month, will aim for a seventh JGTO title at the ¥130,000,000 event staged at Token Tado Country Club Nagoya in Mie prefecture.

Norris will be part of the stellar 132-man field that includes four of last season's top five money leaders, led by American Chan Kim and 11 past champions.

"I couldn't ask for a better start to the year. I always love coming back to Japan, the food, the golf courses. They're always in good condition, and people here are always friendly.

“This is my seventh year playing in Japan. Every year I feel like I've become stronger and better on Japanese golf courses," said the world number 63.

"My game has developed to a point where I become a better player, and I'm looking forward to what it brings me this year," added Norris, who finished tied-18th in 2019 for his best result at the Token Homemate Cup in three outings. 

All eyes will also be on the familiar names such as Chan Kim, Ryosuke Kinoshita, Hideto Tanihara and Rikuya Hoshino as they attempt to win the tournament for the first time.

Kim is aware that if he is to get his money list title defence off to a good start, he must first overcome his poor records at the Token Tado Country Club. He has missed four cuts in six starts there, including the last two visits.

"I'm very fortunate to be back in Japan as there are still the Covid restrictions. It was really a good feeling to be able to win the Order of Merit title last season as I came close the last couple of seasons, and to be able to do it just given me the confidence for the brand new season ahead," said Kim.

Having finished joint fourth last year, Kinoshita will be another player to look out for this week. 

The 30-year-old is in a buoyant mood after returning with a couple of solid results from the Asian Tour during the off season, finishing tied eighth at the Saudi International and tied fifth at the International Series Thailand.

A rejuvenated veteran, Tanihara will also be looking forward to picking up the momentum left off after capping off last season in style by triumphing in two of the last three tournaments on the schedule, including the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

Tanihara would surely love to add the Token Homemate Cup - a tournament he has yet to win - into his growing title collection, which currently stands at 16.

The 11 former winners hoping to roll back the years to reclaim the victory are Australian Brendan Jones (2012, 2019), Atomu Shgenaga (2018), Liang Wen-Chong of China (2017), Michael Hendry of New Zealand (2015), Yusaku Miyazato (2014), Tadahiro Takayama (2005, 2011), Koumei Oda (2009, 2010), Katsumasa Miyamoto (2008), Hiroyuki Fujita (2004), Toru Taniguchi (2002) and Shingo Katayama (2001).