Kiradech looks to go one better in HK Open
HONG KONG: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who narrowly lost out by one shot at the European Tour’s season-ending event in Dubai on Sunday, is looking forward to another shot at redemption at the USB Hong Kong Open which tees off today.
The US$2 million tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, features major winners Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.
It is the first European Tour’s event of the 2017-2018 season.
Kiradech, the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, has three top-10s which included two runner-up spots in the last five events he’s played in and is seen as one of the main contenders in Hong Kong.
“I’ve been knocking on the doors in the last couple of weeks, most recently in Dubai last week. I just hope the door will be opened very soon,” said the Thai world No.60.
“I just got to keep playing well and I’m looking forward to trying again this week. I have been improving and I was playing under pressure especially on the back nine. I think it’s all about trying to control myself better under pressure especially when playing against the top players.
“I’ve been hitting the ball much better and finding more of my shots landing on the fairways. This is an old-style course and it’s important to find the fairways here to
give myself chances.
“I’m trying to get inside the top-50 on the world rankings again. I want to get into the EurAsia Cup team too and play in the Masters tournament again.”
The other Thais in the tournament include Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Panuphol Pittayarat, Jazz Janewattananond and Phachara Khongwatmai.
Meanwhile, world No.6 Rose said ice baths and a team of fitness experts helped
him keep up his energy last season, as he eyes a fast start to the new European Tour.
Rose takes his place among Europe’s top golfers at the Hong Kong Open just days after the 2017 circuit finished.
His unflagging energy saw him win tournaments in China and Turkey in the space of a month before narrowly missing out at the seasonal finale in Dubai.
“I’ll definitely do [ice baths], a lot of contrast — hot-cold stuff. I’ll do that pre-round, post-round sometimes,” said the Olympic champion.
“I track my heart rate variability every day to get a bit of a snapshot of how my body is coping with time changes, and jet lag. If I need to focus on recovery I will. If I need to focus on fitness I will.”
SPIETH’S PROBLEM
In Sydney, America’s Jordan Spieth returns to action at the Australian Open, which begins today, pondering an unusual problem: how to keep weight on at Thanksgiving.
Unlike many elite golfers who spend hours sweating in the gym trying to slim down, Spieth has always battled not to lose weight, a condition which forces him to constantly tinker with his swing as his body shape fluctuates.
As he prepares to defend the Australian Open title for a second time, Spieth said he has embarked on a new diet and training regime to help him bulk up for the upcoming golf season.
“Each year I lose 10 to 15 pounds throughout the year. I’m trying to figure out a way to sustain weight,” the world No.2 said.
“I’ve done an average job of it but I’m trying. It’s hard to eat as much as I need to eat, which I don’t get any remorse from people I talk to about it.”