Mar 05, 2018: Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat achieved a career-high finish with a tied fifth outing after a pulsating final day at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship on Sunday, won by American Phil Mickelson.
Big-hitting Kiradech signed off with his week’s best of six-under 65 for a 13-under 271 total at the Club de Golf Chapultepec, three shots behind the play-off duo of Mickelson and reigning PGA TOUR FedExCup No. 1 Justin Thomas. Mickelson won the title at the first extra hole.
Kiradech’s terrific finish, which came a few weeks after lifting a fourth European Tour title in Australia, saw him match countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s best outing by a Thai player in the World Golf Championships four-tournament series. Thongchai achieved a T5 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in 2010.
“I was very proud with the way I’m playing and finish top-five in the World Golf Championships is always the best. On Saturday, I didn’t hole a putt, it just kicked me out of position. I played great golf today but still a little bit behind, a little bit too far,” said Kiradech, whose previous best finish in the World Golf Championships was a T18 at the 2016 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Starting the day six shots off the pace, Kiradech made his charge with six birdies in his opening 14 holes before dropping his lone bogey of the day on 16. He then birdied the 18th hole from 10 feet for his high finish.
“Yesterday, I tried to force myself to catch the leader, I tried to hit more to the flag, putt a little bit more firm. But today I just rolled the ball around the holes. If it was going to drop, it would drop,” he said
“I am really proud with the result. Top-five, it is a goal. But if you look back, I’m still not playing my best golf, my ‘A’ game, which on Saturday is supposed to be a moving day but I just stepped back and didn’t move at all. Obviously I am really happy with the result.”
PGA Tour Release
