Apr 24, 2018: Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat believes his game is now good enough for him to win on the PGA TOUR following seven months of spell-binding golf.
The 28-year-old Kiradech has enjoyed a superb run of form since last October, notching 10 top-10s around the world including two top-five finishes in World Golf Championships events in Mexico and United States, runner-up outings in Dubai and Italy, plus one victory in Australia for his fourth European Tour triumph.
The likeable Thai needs only six more FedExCup points to earn Special Temporary Membership on the PGA TOUR which will then allow him unlimited sponsor exemptions for remainder of the 2017-18 season. If he finishes in the top-125 of the FedExCup standings, he will earn his PGA TOUR card for 2018-19.
“I’m getting closer and closer to earning my PGA TOUR card which will be a dream come true,” said Kiradech, a former Asian Tour No. 1 and currently ranked No. 32 in the world.
“I’ll be in the other majors this season and my manager is working on getting me into other PGA TOUR events. I’ll be prepared to move over to the U.S. with my wife as soon as possible to start my career on the PGA TOUR.”
Big-hitting Kiradech finished T42 in the year’s opening major at the Masters Tournament earlier this month, struggling to a first round 79 after being forced to use a replacement driver. However, he bounced back with rounds of 70, 72 and 71 to finish T42.
His next U.S. assignment will be THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass from May 10-13. The prestigious event is the PGA TOUR’s flagship tournament which boasts the strongest field in tournament golf anywhere around the world.
The Thai made his debut at THE PLAYERS Championship two years ago, only to miss the cut with rounds of 75 and 69. This time around, Kiradech is feeling confident of a strong showing and believes he can contend.
“I played in THE PLAYERS in 2016 but missed the cut. My game wasn’t as good back then as to what it is now, so I’m looking forward to returning to TPC Sawgrass and playing in this big tournament. My form has been really good and I’ll be going to THE PLAYERS with every intention to try and win the tournament. I’ve got no fear and I feel really good about my game and my mental approach,” said Kiradech.
He was delighted to see another 28-year-old in Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira lifting his maiden PGA TOUR title at the RBC Heritage two weeks ago, saying it was a great motivation for him to also excel in America.
This year, he has produced some wonderful golf. At the WGC-Mexico Championship in early March, Kiradech achieved a career best WGC finish with a T5 which he matched several weeks later at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play where he qualified for the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winner, Bubba Watson.
“It was inspiring to see Satoshi win the RBC Heritage and I want become a winner on the PGA TOUR too. Maybe I’ll have a chance to win THE PLAYERS and then become an inspiration to other Thai and Asian kids to become top golfers,” said Kiradech.
“Since working with my new coaches (Pete Cowen and Mike Walker) from the beginning of last year, my game has become much better. It’s become easier for me to play and I’ve played well especially in the World Golf Championships.
“If I can get onto the PGA TOUR, I’m sure I’ll feel right at home. There are many Thai restaurants around in the U.S. and I’ve also gotten used to American food like pizzas and lamb chops. More importantly, the American golf courses suit my kind of game and I’m confident I can settle down quickly,” added the Thai, who has earned 263 FedExCup points on the PGA TOUR this season as a non-member.
Asian Tour Release
