Kuala Lumpur, Dec 22 (IANS): Malaysian Open 2015 Monday announced the participation of three-time Asian Tour No.1 Thongchai Jaidee at the 54th edition of the $3 million showpiece which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club Feb 5-8.

The two-time Malaysian Open champion and captain of Team Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup, Thongchai is no stranger here and in Malaysia which he regards as his 'second home'.

One of only three players ever to win back-to-back Malaysian Open titles which he achieved in 2004 and 2005 -- the latter including a hole-in-one in the final round -- Thongchai is looking forward to once again challenging the star-studded field in celebration of Maybank's 10th year as title sponsor of the national Open.

Thongchai started his professional career at the age of 30 but after winning the Asian Tour's Order of Merit two years later, he created history by becoming the first Thai to play in all four rounds at the US Open Championship.

With 15 Tour victories under his belt, including two in Europe, at 45 years old, Thongchai finished 44th on the Official World Golf Ranking and 22nd in The 2014 Race to Dubai Rankings.

Thongchai is highly regarded as one of Asia's greatest players and is convinced that there are still more accolades to be won.

The Asian captain will join a stellar cast of 156 players, including 22 Malaysians, from the Asian Tour and European Tour for the prestigious co-sanctioned event.