Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will go in search of a quick-fire Asian double this week when he tees up in the €1.4million Volvo China Open at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club.

McDowell won the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea last month after defeating India's Jeev Milkha Singh in a thrilling play-off. It was his third European Tour title.

Defending champion Markus Brier of Austria and 2005 champion Stephen Dodd of Wales will also compete in the Olympics host city. A resurgent David Howell and former Open Champion Paul Lawrie are also in the field.

McDowell finished in a three-way tie for second place behind runaway winner Brier at last year's event in Shanghai and the 28-year-old from Portrush should return to Asia in buoyant mood following his recent victory at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island.

He will be joined in Beijing this week by fellow Irishmen, Gary Murphy, Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie.

The Volvo China Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association and the latter organisation's champion, Liang Wen-chong, has set his sights on a victory on home soil.

Howell has happy memories of China from his victory in the 2006 HSBC Champions in Shanghai and is another player running into form judging by his narrow play-off defeat to France's Gregory Bourdy in the Estoril Open de Portugal two weeks ago.