Kiradech promises to come back stronger
AUGUSTA: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who seemed to be headed out of Augusta early after a disappointing opening round of seven-over-par 79, made a steady recovery with rounds of 70, 70 and 71 to finish in tied-44th place on four-over-par 292 total at the Masters on Sunday.
It was a good fightback from the 28-yearold Thai over the last three days after a tough start in what was his second appearance at Augusta National.
“This has only got me determined to come back and do better,” said Kiradech, the Asian Tour No.1 in 2013.
Kiradech, a three-time Asian Tour winner, traded four birdies against three bogeys in the final round at a tournament that seemed to be over even before it began.
He broke his usual driver two days before the start of the tournament and despite a great effort by his team at Callaway, he could not get used to the brand new driver which he got before the first round.
The big-hitting Kiradech, however, fought hard and played the best he could to make the halfway cut on the mark at fiveover-par following a second round 70.
“It was a good finish after all that happened in the first part of the week,” said Kiradech. “I had been playing well and driving well, so it was a disappointment to see my old driver broken. I thought I would be able to get used to it and my team is very good. But that did not happen and I gave away too much on the first day.”
“I have played well with top-five finishes at two World Golf Championships [the Mexico Championship and the Match Play] and I thought I have a good chance at the Masters where I finished tied-15th two years ago. I want to come back here again and again, because I love this course and it suits me.”
Asian Tour honorary member Vijay Singh, who closed with a 71, ended his campaign in 49th position on 295 while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama emerged as the bestplaced Asian at tied-19th position on 285.
Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira finished in a share of 28th place on 288 while Li Haotong of China settled a further shot back in tied-32nd place following a closing 72 in his Masters debut. Indian sensation Shubhankar Sharma missed the cut.