In-form Kiradech confident ahead of WGC-Mexico Championship
Thai says he’s ready to ‘compete in any event’
Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat believes his swing, body and mind are now all in sync for him to charge up the golfing order beginning with the US$10 million World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship early next month.
The 28-year-old returned into the top-50 of the official world golf ranking at No.37 after winning the World Super 6 Perth on Sunday for his fourth European Tour title, ending a two-and-half year winless run.
He yesterday visited Singha Corporation president Santi Bhirombhakdi to thank him for his support at his Bangkok office.
The big-hitting Kiradech intends to maintain his strong run of form, which started at the end of last year with five top-10 finishes around the world over a two-month spell.
“This is the best I’m feeling about myself,” said Kiradech, a former Asian Tour No.1.
“My body, golf swing and the mental side of the game is feeling good. It’s the best I’ve felt in my career. I still have a lot of work to do and a lot of golf to play. I hope to have a big season.”
Over the years, Kiradech’s career has gone through peaks and troughs. However, he reckons he has found his equilibrium through his decision to work with swing coaches Pete Cowen and Mike Walker and dedicating himself to a sports psychologist for the first time as well as to a fitness trainer since the start of 2017.
“For the first six months, I struggled. I decided to spend time in the gym not just to lose weight but to also get stronger. I can’t get the best golf swing without being fit. And then when the swing was ready and my body was fit, you could see the results which was strong,” said Kiradech, who lost 13kg during the first six months of last year.
“I can’t thank my mental coach Lee Campbell enough. My attitude on the golf course has been much better. I’ve never seen a mental coach in my life before and it’s been a big change. Every day you see something different. I’m not moody on the golf course and I’m staying patient over my shots. When you stay patient, you don’t lose concentration.”
With his mind and game in a good place, Kiradech is ready to take the next step in his career and make his presence felt at the WGC-Mexico Championship from March 1-4. His best outing in a World Golf Championships event was joint 18th at the 2016 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
“I’m looking forward to the WGC-Mexico Championship. In my last WGC at the HSBC Champions, I was knocking on the door after two rounds [he was tied for third going into the weekend but finished tied for 24th]. Previously, I always thought the WGCs and majors are very difficult but we can knock on the door. My goal is to finish within the top-five in Mexico,” he said.
“With my game showing up in the last three months, I feel I can compete in any event around the world. If I can sink the putts, I have a chance. The way I’m striking the ball, it’s the best I’ve hit it in my career.”
His status in the world’s top-50 will see him feature in other leading tournaments in the United States, including the WGCDell Technologies Match Play in Austin next month followed by the year’s opening
major, the Masters where he finished tied for 15th in his debut in 2016.
Kiradech hopes to string together some strong performances in America to secure a PGA Tour card.
“I’m still trying to get my PGA Tour card. I know it’s not easy and the standard of the tour is really high. By the end of my career, I just hope I can earn my tour card in the US.
“Right now, I want to get more wins and I want to be more consistent. I will play fewer tournaments this year but the intention will be to play more quality golf.”