‘Tired’ Kiradech vows to fix his swing
Thai to take a week off after ‘great fun’ at Open
CARNOUSTIE: Kiradech Aphibarnrat ended his British Open campaign with a three-over-par 74 at Carnoustie yesterday.
It was the 28-year-old Thai’s second successive three-over-par round, and third over the 72 holes on the Scottish links, as he finished on nine-over 293 overall.
It was the first time Kiradech had played in the final two rounds at the British Open. He missed the cut at the oldest major championship four times in a row from 2013 to 2016 and did not qualify for last year’s tournament.
“My ball striking was much better although I didn’t get off to a good start again,” said Kiradech after yesterday’s final round.
“Like I said yesterday, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy every single minute that I have here in Carnoustie. It is the first time that I was playing in the weekend at The Open. It’s been such great fun. The golf course is in very good condition. The wind was coming from all directions so it was a huge challenge out there.
“I always enjoy playing in The Open but I know I did not play my best golf this week. My swing is not 100 percent and it was definitely not my ‘A’ game. I think that’s because I have been playing a lot of golf for the past few weeks. I am starting to feel tired. It’s very difficult, especially playing in this kind of wind.”
Kiradech added he will take next week off and sit out the Royal Cup.
“I am planning to take next week off. I have to say sorry to my supporters at home as I will have to miss the Royal Cup. I was planning to play in front of my home crowd initially but I just can’t right now. I’ve played 10 weeks in a row and I think it’s a little bit too much. I need to rest to prepare for the upcoming World Golf Championship and the last Major which is coming up as well.”
Kiradech, who has now made the cut in all four majors, was the only Thai to book a weekend spot at Carnoustie with compatriots and debutants Jazz Janewattananond and Danthai Boonma missing the cut.
On Saturday, a standout third round left defending champion Jordan Spieth in a share of the lead with fellow Americans Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner.
The trio were locked together on nineunder 204 at the end of a thrilling day in perfect conditions at Carnoustie, but at least a dozen other players are still right in contention, among them Tiger Woods.
Spieth had started the day at three under for the tournament, but made his intentions clear with a stunning eagle at the par-four first hole — the rest of his round featured four birdies and not a single dropped shot for a six-under 65.
“I feel like my game’s in good shape. It’s progressed nicely. We’ve got pretty much a new tournament tomorrow,” said Spieth, who had popped into Carnoustie town centre for a haircut before his round.
Kisner, with whom Spieth is sharing a house in Scotland this week, had started the day in a share of the lead with Zach Johnson and cemented his strong position with a bogey-free 68.
Schauffele, at 24 the same age as Spieth, shot a 67 to considerably boost his own chances of a first major victory.
With Kevin Chappell the nearest challenger to the leading trio on seven under, the prospects of a sixth consecutive major being won by an American are high, but there is still hope for the European contingent.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari had a bogeyfree 65 and was six under, while Sweden’s Alex Noren was at five under along with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
The group on five under also includes Zach Johnson and Woods, who captivated huge galleries as he shot a 66, arguably his best round in a major for a decade.