April 23, 2014: The three-time Order of Merit winner, Thai star Thongchai Jaidee was conferred ‘Player of the Decade’ award at the Asian Tour’s Awards Night on Tuesday. Thongchai was voted as the Player of the Decade (2004-2013), by the players to commemorate the Asian Tour’s milestone 10th season last year following its establishment as a players’ organisation in 2004.
While, compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat was honored for topping Asian Tour’s Order of Merit 2013. The talented Thai also claimed the Players’ Player of the Year title and Special Achievement Award to go with the prestigious Order of Merit crown.
The 24-year-old Kiradech won one title and posted five other top-five finishes in 2013 to earn over US$1 million, becoming only the second man to achieve the feat in Asian Tour history.
“My success on the Asian Tour would not have been possible without the strong support from my family. I want to thank them tonight and I also want to pay tribute to my late coach Natpasit Chokthanasart (nicknamed Pro Jew) who passed away late last year. He played a key role in shaping my game and made me become the player that I am today,” Kiradech told in Asian Tour report.
Like Kiradech, Thongchai also bagged a hat-trick of awards, taking home the Lowest Stroke Average (69.46) and Greens in Regulation (75%) titles along with the Player of the Decade title. The other nominees were India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant and Korean duo K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang.
[highlight] Indian veteran star Jeev Milkha Singh was the best putter last year with his 1.71 putts per green in regulation ratio [/highlight]
“I’m very thankful to the Asian Tour as this is the Tour that gave me my first big break. It also provided me with numerous opportunities to develop my game and compete on the global stage. I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in the Asian Tour since it was first established and I can only see it becoming an even stronger Tour,” said Thongchai, who has won 13 titles on the tour so far.
Canada’s Richard T. Lee scooped the Rookie of the Year Award after his memorable debut season where he posted three top-10s to finish in 32nd place in the Order of Merit. Lee has since claimed his maiden Asian Tour title, winning the Solaire Open in Manila last month.
Australia’s Scott Hend, who won thrice in Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Macau, won the Driving Distance category with an average driving distance of 317 yards. He has now earned this bragging right on four occasions since 2009.
Brazil’s Adilson Da Silva proved to be the straightest driver on Tour when he won the Driving Accuracy Award with 77.23% of fairways hit and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat chalked up the most number of birdies to become the Birdie Leader of 2013 with a haul of 308 birdies.
Indian veteran star Jeev Milkha Singh was the best putter last year with his 1.71 putts per green in regulation ratio.
The Amata Spring Country Club, host venue of the Thailand Golf Championship, was voted as the Best Golf Course for the third consecutive year. While Alpine Golf Resort, venue of the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT, was recognized as the Best Golf Resort for its club facilities and amenities.
Swede Rikard Karlberg, a two-time Asian Tour winner, was named the Volvik Best Dressed Player for 2013.
Kiradech and Thongchai hogged the limelight at the Awards night, as Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han, in his speech, marveled at the Tour’s growth over the past decade, which has sanctioned over 260 tournaments and offer in excess of US$330 million to the region’s finest players.
