Kiradech Aphibarnrat with the Asian Tour chairman
KIRADECH SAVOURS ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT SUCCESS
Kuala Lumpur: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat achieved his childhood dream after being officially crowned as the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit champion following the conclusion of the 2013 season.
The 24-year-old Kiradech emulated his idols Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant in becoming the region’s top player and vowed to push ahead with other career goals, including winning a Major championship and becoming a world’s top-50 player.
“When I turned pro in 2009, I was just trying to keep my card to continue having the opportunity to play year after year. But the top Thai players like Thongchai and Thaworn all won the Order of Merit titles and I always hoped that one day, I could also have the opportunity to win the Merit title,” said Kiradech.
During a season which four other Thais were victorious on the Asian Tour, Kiradech believes that growing up in the company of golf legends has played a big role in developing him into a top player.
“I always learn something from the top Thai players. Thongchai always reminds me that you have not won until the last hole is played while Thaworn plays his own game no matter what. We are lucky to have Boonchu (Ruangkit). In my rookie year, he told me that it is all about believing in yourself and your own ability,” said Kiradech.
Thanks to one victory and five other top-five finishes, Kiradech became only the second player after India’s Jeev Milkha Singh to earn over US$1 million in winnings in a single season, earning US$1.12 million.
His popular win at the Maybank Malaysian Open and a joint third finish at the CIMB Classic, also in Malaysia, were worth US$864,000.
Published by scottishgolfview.com