Park returns to familiar winning ground while Imahira readies for title defence at Fujisankei Classic

Sanghyun Park of South Korea will draw on memories of his previous success as he bids to capture the Fujisankei Classic again on his first return to Fujizakura Country Club in three years.

In 2019, Park finished two strokes ahead of fellow Korean Hosung Choi and Hiroshi Iwata.

The 39-year-old is eager to make his presence felt again in Japan having played no part in the 2020/2021 season.

Prior to that, Park enjoyed a stellar season in 2019 by backing up his Fujisankei Classic victory with five other top-10 results to finish a credible eighth place in the Money Rankings.

Park's participation this week will mark his only second JGTO start of the season after finishing tied-40th finish at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup two weeks ago.

Despite his absence in the last two editions, Park will be relishing the challenge ahead as he is set to tee off Thursday's opening round alongside compatriot Hyunwoo Ryu and Hideto Tanihara, the 2017 and 2007 winners respectively.

The world number 252 will seek to replicate his winning touch in Japan after amassing three titles over the last 12 months on Korean Tour, including the DB Insurance Promy Open in April.

Apart from Park, a host of international players will be out to challenge the home players' domination this season.

To date, Zimbabwe's Scott Vincent, who triumphed at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in May, remains the only non-Japanese winner in the 13 tournaments staged thus far.

Vincent is not in the field this week but players such as Australia's Brad Kennedy, three-time JGTO winner and currently ranked 13th on the Money Rankings, along with proven Tour champions Jbe Kruger of South Africa, Junggon Hwang, Kyungtae Kim and Hosung Choi of South Korea, Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and Thailand's Thanyakon Khrongpha are capable of contending.

Shugo Imahira is the defending champion of the tournament.