American Chris DiMarco has volunteered for shock treatment by asking his wife to caddy for him at this week's Ballantine's Championship.

The three-times major runner-up said his wife's brutal honesty could be the catalyst he needs for him to begin his climb back up the rankings on the South Korean island of Jeju.

"My wife Amy caddied for me in the early 90s before we had kids," DiMarco told reporters on Wednesday.

"I asked her again a couple of years ago in Abu Dhabi and we won.

"Her last two finishes are first and fourth so she's a very lucky charm. I need a little luck right now and I need her on the bag."

"It's funny. When I ask her whether I should use a four or a five-iron she just says 'I don't know. There's the pin, hit it on the green!' -- it makes you think well, yeah, there's the green. Hit right at it.

"I have no say in the house. That's a well-oiled ship and that bluntness helps me (on the course). I don't think I over-think but I tend to bring too much in instead of getting really focused on what's at hand."

DiMarco faces a difficult test at the $2.9 million Ballantine's Championship at the picturesque Pinx Golf Club.

The event is co-sanctioned by the European Tour.

Local favourite KJ Choi, the world number five and British Open champion Padraig Hamilton will be among those expected to be in contention.

"Three years ago I thought being in the top 10 would be incredible," said Choi. "I've achieved that goal and now I'm focused on my next goal -- winning a major."

DiMarco would settle for a solid four rounds after what he admits has been the most stressful period of his career.

"Other than my brain, I'm pain-free," he said sheepishly. "I've tried so many different things to kick-start myself, find some consistency but it hasn't come.

"It's just taken longer to come back from surgery than I thought. By swinging with pain I worked myself into a few habits I'm still trying to get out of.

"Golf is a rollercoaster. When you're not playing well you tend to only remember the bad shots. I just haven't had that easy round that gets you over the hump."

The tournament, also sanctioned by the Asian and Korean tours, begins on Thursday.