Malaysia's Nicholas Fung is all pumped up for a potentially lucrative return to action on the Asian Tour, starting with next week's USD500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open.

Following the Indonesian event at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta, Fung will tee up at two successive USD1.5 million tournaments - the International Series Singapore (Tanah Merah Country Club, August 11-14) and the International Series Korea (Lotte Skyhill Jeju Country Club, August 18-21).

"I've been working hard to prepare myself for this stretch of big events, so hopefully I play well enough to get into contention. If I do well in the International Series events, there is a chance that I can get into the LIV Golf Invitational Series," said Fung.

Fung's sole Asian Tour victory came at the 2017 Queen's Cup in Thailand and the 32-year-old is keen to join veteran Danny Chia as Malaysia's only multiple Asian Tour winners.

"My goals are to win my second Asian Tour title and to get into the LIV Golf Series. It's a good opportunity for us because of the partnership with the Asian Tour through the International Series," said Fung, who has also won three times on the Asian Development Tour.

Fung (3rd from R) during the UA Golf Day powered by MST Golf at Palm Garden

Just last week, Fung ended a five-year title drought with a confidence-boosing victory in the local circuit's PGM Pahang Championship, winning by two shots with an 11-under-par total at Royal Pekan Golf Club.

"It's good to be back to winning after so many years and, importantly, it helped me regain my confidence. My game was a little bit down the past few months because I had Covid, but I kept on practising and working hard, and it paid off with the PGM Pahang win," shared Fung.

Having the correct equipment, Fung stressed, is crucial for elite golfers to perform their best. "Using the proper gear and apparel is very important for us to perform at a high level.

"For example, the Under Armour polo tops and pants that I use have Iso-Chill technology which disperses body heat and keeps me cool. Even under extremely hot conditions, I feel cool and comfortable.

"And the pants are very lightweight, which is important for professional golfers as we walk a lot," he stressed.

In action at Palm Garden

Asked what advice he would give to amateur golfers looking to take their games to the next level, Fung replied: "Find a coach you're comfortable with, because it's very important to have the correct basics in golf. I've met a lot of golfers who learn the game themselves, but that's very difficult. Get the right coach and you'll really improve."

Fung noted that, while the COVID-19 shutdown was tough for him professionally, the plus side was that it allowed him to spend quality time with wife Suki and daughter Hannah, who turns two this August 8.

"Professional golfers have to travel a lot, so it was good that I had the opportunity these past two years to spend time with Hannah during the lockdowns," he said.

"I'm enjoying being a father ... but the bad part is I have to wake up almost every night to feed her!"