Branden Grace and Dustin Johnson are hoping to steal defending champion Bo Van Pelt’s ISPS HANDA Perth International crown in Western Australia.

Grace claimed an incredible four European Tour titles in a memorable 2012 to finish sixth on The Race to Dubai and, despite not yet winning this campaign, the South African has played consistently well to be positioned seventh in the standings a week before the inaugural ‘Final Series’ gets underway.

After making his debut in the President’s Cup a fortnight ago, he believes he can add more individual success to his burgeoning CV in Perth.

“I've been finding I've been playing very steady, very solid,” said the 25 year old, who has had five top-ten finishes this year including being runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“Although I haven't had a win, I've been close. I think I have a pretty good chance this week – it is just a case of me making a few more putts here and there and turning the 68s into 63s and 64s.”

Johnson, meanwhile, is hoping the ISPS HANDA Perth International can signal a return to the winner’s enclosure, having not been able to add to his seventh PGA Tour victory in his first tournament of 2013 back in January.

“It’s been an ok year for me but it has been a little frustrating because I won the first event and haven’t been able to add to that, but there are some big events left for me and, after playing really well at the Tour Championship back home I feel the game is getting close,” said Johnson.

“I think around here at Lake Karrinyup you have to putt well. If the putter is rolling good, then I'm going to have a good chance to win.  It's a golf course that suits my eye pretty well, and there's a lot of birdies to be made out there. I just need to take advantage of the par fives.  If I play the par fives really well, I think I'll be up there on Sunday.”