Kiradech Aphibarnrat hopes to maintain that winning feeling come Sunday as he looks to become the first player to win back-to-back European Tour events since Rory McIlroy last August.
The big-hitting Thai star snatched a second European Tour title in dramatic fashion at last week’s Shenzhen International, eagling the 71st hole then producing a birdie on the first play-off hole to deny home favourite Li Hao-tong.
And having made the journey north to Shanghai for this week’s Volvo China Open, the 25 year old sees no reason why he cannot contend again at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.
“I had dinner with my mum and caddie, my manager and Paul from The European Tour,” Aphibarnrat said of his celebrations. “I’m looking forward to going back to Thailand next week and seeing all my friends and family, especially my dad and my fiancée.
“It’s been great, the last few days. I’ve had a few days to celebrate my win with my family, my caddies and the IMG team.
“But it’s back to business again this week, and hopefully I can make it back-to-back wins in China.
“I’m obviously swinging it well so I won’t be changing anything. I’ll try to remember the good feeling I had when I made the winning putt on Sunday, and try to carry that through with me this week.”
With a new host venue and a high-calibre field including former European Number One Robert Karlsson and Ryder Cup players Nicolas Colsaerts, David Howell, Ross Fisher, Edoardo Molinari, Oliver Wilson, Søren Hansen, Peter Hanson and Paul Lawire, Aphibarnrat knows he faces a tough task, especially around the greens.
“It’s in great shape but the greens are very tricky,” he said. “The key this week will be putting, because if you’re in the wrong place on the greens, you can easily three-putt.
“If you can avoid the mistakes and take your chances, you can score well on this course. Some of the fairways are quite wide and a few of the holes favour longer hitters, so that should suit me well.
“Volvo have staged lots of tournaments around the world, so they have a good reputation and the players like competing in their tournaments. The field this year is again very strong, including players like Nicolas Colsaerts, who has played in The Ryder Cup. The courses look great and the organisation is always very good, so I enjoy playing Volvo tournaments.”
Last week’s runner-up Li has had to shake off a back injury as he looks to go one better and become the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil.
“I think I still need more experience in this kind of situation, because I have never been in such a winning position before,” said the 19 year old.
“It was good experience - maybe it’s the price I have to pay for my age. I still have a long way to go, and I still have many tournaments ahead.
“I am still myself, and it also helps that I have a great team around me and my family to support me.”
