May 28, 2018: Kiradech Aphibarnrat underlined his credentials as the leading Thai player in the world when he closed with a five-under-par 67 to finish four shots back in tied-fifth position at the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship on Sunday.
Kiradech, Asia’s number one in 2013, fired one eagle and a birdie in his opening four holes but dropped two shots on the fifth and 11th holes. The big-hitting Thai, however, stormed home gallantly with two pairs of back-to-back birdies in his closing six holes for a 13-under-par 275 total at the Wentworth Club.
“I got off to a really good start. I am really happy with the way I started today. I gave myself a lot of chances but in the middle of the round, I was just struggling as I wasn’t driving the ball well. But overall, I am happy with my tied-fifth result.
“This golf course is really difficult. I tried to stay calm and play shot by shot and keep the ball in play which is the most important. The wind is what makes it difficult. It’s coming from everywhere. I just wanted to keep the ball in play and keep it low,” said the 28-year-old Kiradech.
Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee, a record three-time Order of Merit champion on the Asian Tour, marked his first top-10 result in 2018 after carding a bogey-free 68 to finish seven shots back of winner Francesco Molinari of Italy at the BMW PGA Championship.
Over at the Fort Worth Invitational in the United States, talented Shubhankar Sharma of India enjoyed a tied-20th place finish at the Colonial Country Club after returning from a five-week break.
The 21-year-old Sharma, who leads the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, signed for a closing three-under-par 67 and a six-under-par 274 total to end his campaign 14 shots back of winner Justin Rose of England.
His compatriot Anirban Lahiri, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2015, battled to a 69 to settle four shots back of Sharma in tied-58th place on 278.
Asian Tour Release
