Kiradech Aphibarnrat
Kiradech Aphibarnrat has already achieved much but is dreaming bigger
Keen golf fans will have clocked a growing number of often multi-syllabled Thai names on European Tour leaderboards, and not just in the events co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour. Thongchai Jaidee has been the most successful, but as he turns 50 this year with the prospect of a lucrative senior career ahead, the mantle is perhaps being passed to 30-year-old Kiradech Aphibarnrat who has won four times in six full years on tour, and last year reached the heady heights of the world’s top 30.
He missed just three cuts in 22 European Tour starts in 2018, a level of consistency that he attributes to his work with Pete Cowen and Mike Walker on the swing side, and Lee Crombleholme on the mental side. That success and consistency prompted him to try his hand at the PGA Tour this year, where he has already recorded three top-five finishes. We spoke to the likable Thai with the unorthodox swing earlier in the year…
How were your early days in golf?
I started playing junior golf from eight years old and then played in the Junior World Golf Championships in the USA and won twice there. I played on the Thai national team from 15 to 18.
Did you always want to make it on to the European Tour?
Thongchai is one of the best players in Thailand, and when I played on the national team he was on the
European Tour, so I set myself the goal of one day playing there. I kept working hard to make that dream come true. I won the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2013. Malaysia was co-sanctioned, so I got my tour card from that win.
Did you have other golfing role models?
In Thailand it was only Thongchai, Boonchu Ruangkit, Prayad Marksaeng and my best friend, Prom Meesawat. But Tiger was one of the best athletes in the world and he was half-thai too, so I have to say I started golf because of him, and I’m trying to work hard because of him. He was the role model for all the Asian players.
What’s the hardest thing about being an Asian player overseas?
I think it’s the weather. It’s not easy coming from a 40˚ country where it’s hot and humid to playing when it’s cold, windy and raining, or in other countries where it’s drier. It’s tough to adjust to that and the distances you hit it around the golf course. It takes time to get used to it.
You’ve won four times on the European Tour. Which do you regard as your best victory?
There’s two that I particularly remember. One was that Malaysian Open because it opened up my golf career and the European Tour, and the second would be the Paul Lawrie Matchplay because it was the first event I won outside Asia – the others had been in China and Malaysia. That one in Scotland proved to me that I can do it outside Asia in the colder weather!
Your last two victories have involved matchplay elements. Do you like matchplay?
Yeah, my game suits matchplay. I make a bunch of birdies and I love to just go for it. In matchplay, when you make a lot of birdies you get more advantage. I used to be long too, but now there are lots of kids and new boys hitting it so far out here!
What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game?
The driver is my strength. I drive it well, I love to move the ball around and I’m long enough. My weakness would be chipping around the greens. I’m working so hard on it but the grass I played on growing up is so different, and it changes everywhere I go throughout Europe, The USA and Asia. I’m trying to get used to it everywhere I go.
Who are the best up-andcoming Thai players?
One of the most talented new kids is Jazz Janewattananond. I really like the way he plays – he’s really consistent, and he’s up at the top in almost everything he plays in, so you’d better keep an eye on him.
Finally, what are your golfing goals now having won four times and hit the top 50?
I tried to prove to myself that I could make the top 30 and did that last year. But to hang in there for a full year isn’t easy! There are a lot of great players and we all work so hard. My goal is to win one of the Majors and get into the world top ten. That would be my best dream.