Kiradech aims for fast PGA Tour start
KUALA LUMPUR: Kiradech Aphibarnrat is looking forward to a fast start to his PGA Tour career at a venue which has become a favourite hunting ground.
The big-hitting golfer, who became the first Thai to earn a PGA Tour card following top-five finishes at two World Golf Championships events earlier this year, will be among the Asian contingent eager to register a victory at the US$7 million CIMB Classic, which begins at TPC Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
The CIMB Classic is the second event on the 2018-19 PGA Tour season and is also sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
Following a three-week break at home, Kiradech is sufficiently recharged and plans to challenge for the title against a stellar line-up which includes title holder Pat Perez, 2017 FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas, last week’s season-opening event winner Kevin Tway and World Golf Hall of Famers Ernie Els and Davis Love III.
“It’s like a dream come true. When I was a kid, my goal has been to be a part of the PGA Tour. Twenty years later, I hold a PGA Tour card. I can’t explain how it feels but it is such a good moment for me. To play my first PGA Tour event as a member in Asia, especially in Malaysia, it feels like everything has happened in my golf career,” said Kiradech at a press conference yesterday.
Five years ago, Kiradech won the Malaysian Open at TPC Kuala Lumpur’s West course and secured a third-place finish at the CIMB Classic, which remains his best career finish to date on the PGA Tour.
“It is such a pleasure to be back in Malaysia again. I haven’t been here for two or three years. I’ve played the Malaysia Open many times. I’ve played so well on this course and have a good record over here. My career started here and it’s nice to be back ‘home’ again,” said Kiradech.
“My goal is to be in the top 60 in the FedEx Cup standings, and keep the card as long as I can. I think I’ve got enough experience from playing against the world-class players to do so.”
While Kiradech has his PGA Tour card in hand for the 2018-19 season, India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who is in the CIMB Classic field as one of the top-10 players from the Asian Tour, is eager to get his way to the world’s premier circuit.
After Malaysia, he also has a spot in next week’s CJ Cup in South Korea and the World Golf Championships event in Shanghai over the next fortnight.
“No doubt very, very important,” said Sharma, who came to international prominence with his tied-ninth finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship where he led after the second and third rounds.
“Obviously all three events are big. You have some of the best players in the world playing. If I just play well in these three events and have consistent finishes, I’ll get off to a very good start and obviously help my world ranking. I feel like this start will really help me securing my card [on the PGA Tour].”