Bangkok: Local favorite Kiradech Aphibarnrat will look to follow up on his impressive tied-fifth place finish in the individual category of the World Cup of Golf yesterday with a good showing at the Thailand Golf Championship in two weeks’ time.
Taking place at the picturesque Amata Spring Country Club from December 12-15, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit is hoping his big-hitting game and experience of playing at the immaculate course will help him become the first home winner of the prestigious tournament:
“I have had a lot of opportunities to play at Amata Spring Country Club so I know the course quite well. The course suits long hitters and that’s why I play quite well there. I am quite happy with my form and with the way I am striking the ball, so if I focus on my putting, I will have a good chance of finishing at the top.”
Inaugurated in 2011, the Thailand Golf Championship has assumed an extremely important role in the development of golf for local talent and upcoming players from around Asia.
The Championship provides a platform for these golfers from around the region to compete against Major Champions and Tour winners from all corners of the globe.
The 24-year-old, who has already tasted success through winning the Maybank Malaysian Open in March this year, believes young Thai players, including himself, can benefit from participating in events like the Thailand Golf Championship:
“For Thai players, and the new generation, if you want to take that step (to make it on the professional tour), you have to compete at this kind of events (like the Thailand Golf Championship) to let you see how you are playing. You need to keep challenging so you can improve (your game).
“I’d love to go back to play in our country. We only get to play at home once or twice a year and I would like to try and win the tournament in front of my family and fans in Thailand.”
The burly Thai finished tied sixth in last year’s Thailand Golf Championship and showed his liking for Amata Spring by topping the Open Championship International Final Qualifying earlier this year to earn his Major debut, thanks to a sensational final round of nine-under-par 63.
Kiradech has proven that he has the game to match the world’s best players and will be eager to bring the curtains down to a fantastic 2013 with a winning performance at the Thailand Golf Championship.
“I think I’ve improved a lot. I don’t get nervous or excited coming down the last few holes anymore. I had birdie chances the last two holes but I wasn’t nervous. I’ve gotten better on this than before. Previously, after being in the top-five, I wouldn’t be able to do my normal things. This week, I think I’ve become better playing with the top players in the world,” said Kiradech after another impressive showing in Australia.
“Hopefully I’ll jump up in the world rankings. About 10 or 15 steps more to get into the world top-50. I’ll try to win one more event on home soil, Thailand Golf Championship. I’m looking forward to playing well in that event as it’s important to get into top-50,” added Kiradech.
Kiradech will be joining an international all-star cast that led by the hottest player in the world at the moment, Henrik Stenson.
The Swede has had a phenomenal season and made history last week by becoming the first man ever to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup. Prior to storming to victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Stenson had a golden summer that included wins at The Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship as well as runner-up and third place finishes at the Open Championship and the US PGA Championship respectively.
Other notable global stars in the world of golf who will travel to Chonburi include reigning US Open winner Justin Rose, and 2012 and 2011 Masters Champions Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel, who is also the defending champion of the Thailand Golf Championship. Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia, Americans Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, D.A. Points and Michael Thompson, Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, and Thorbjorn Olesen, one of the brightest European young stars, have also confirmed their participation at the 2013 Thailand Golf Championship.
With a total prize fund of US$1 million, the prestigious Championship aims to help develop professional golf within the region and promote Thailand as an international sports destination and regional event hub. In 2013, the tournament will be broadcasted live to 200 countries and 800 million homes worldwide.
For fans who are going to enjoy the action live at Amata Spring Country Club, complimentary shuttle buses are available on the hour, every hour, between 7am and midday from the Westin on all four days of the Championship. Return buses to the Westin will start at 2pm, and departing from Amata Spring Country Club at an interval of one per hour, till 6pm.
