Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat was officially crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion on Sunday.
The 24 year old emulated his idols and compatriots Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant in becoming the region’s top player and vowed to push ahead with other career goals, including winning a Major Championship and breaking into the world’s top 50.
Aphibarnrat won the Maybank Malaysian Open, an event co-sanctioned with The European Tour, last March, and had six other top ten finishes in 12 events on the Asian Tour during the 2013 season to finish the season with US$1,127,856. He is only the second player after India’s Jeev Milkha Singh to earn more than US$1million in a season.
“When I turned pro in 2009, I was just trying to keep my card to continue having the opportunity to play year after year,” said Aphibarnrat. “But the top Thai players like Thongchai and Thaworn all won the Order of Merit titles and I always hoped that one day I could also have the opportunity to win the title.
“I always learn something from the top Thai players. Thongchai always reminds me that you have not won until the last hole is played while Thaworn plays his own game no matter what. We are lucky to have Boonchu (Ruangkit). In my rookie year, he told me that it is all about believing in yourself and your own ability.
“Boonchu keeps reminding us about where we come from. For me, my first Tour is the Asian Tour. I started from here and I was born from here. I will always remember what the Asian Tour has done for me.”
In October last year he continued his affinity with Malaysia by finishing tied third in the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur.
“I love Malaysia,” he added with a smile. “Those two results helped me win the Order of Merit. Starting the year, I won on the local tour and I had a lot of confidence. My confidence just kept growing.
“I cannot say if I will win a Major but it is my goal to win one for sure. I’ve always wanted to win an Order of Merit title and I’ve done it. In the next few years, my goal would be to win a Major. If I keep doing my best, I think maybe I will achieve this.”
Aphibarnrat is known for his go for broke style of play, and he was ranked highest in the number of birdies per round statistics category, with 4.54.
He paid tribute to his swing coach, Natpasit Chokthanasart, nicknamed Pro Jew, who died last month.
“Playing aggressive golf is my natural game,” he said. “I want to thank Pro Jew. When I started, he told me to hit it long and he always taught me to aim for the pins. That kept the game fun for me. I am glad I have stuck to this play. He made me to be what I am today.”
