Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat hopes to make amends at next month’s US$3 million Maybank Championship after a disappointing EurAsia Cup appearance.
The big-hitting Kiradech represented Team Asia in the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last week but ended his campaign without contributing a single point in the biennial match-play event which was won by Thomas Bjorn’s Team Europe. He hopes to bounce back from the disappointment by challenging for the prestigious Maybank Championship trophy at Saujana Golf & Country Club from February 1 to 4.
“I entered the EurAsia Cup with a lot of confidence but ended the week without any points to help my team. That is very disappointing but the Maybank Championship is a new week and I will do my best to improve in my game. I have a lot of good memories in Malaysia so I love coming back to the country,” said the 28-year-old.
Kiradech has fond memories in Malaysia where he won his second Asian Tour title and first European Tour victory at the 2013 Maybank Malaysian Open which helped him lift the Order of Merit crown in that same year. He also enjoyed an amazing run in the tail end of the 2017 season where he finished tied second at the European Tour’s DP World Tour Championship before winning on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
In the Asian Tour’s season-ending Indonesian Masters, Kiradech eagled the 72nd hole to finish fifth which was enough to see him end the 2017 season inside the top-50 on the Official World Golf Rankings and earn a ticket to the 2018 Masters in April.
“The Maybank Championship will be another great week to find my form and try my best to win more trophies. I’ve been working with my coach and I hope to get my game in order. After the EurAsia Cup, I lost a bit of confidence so it is very important that I work hard on improving my confidence and mental game,” said Kiradech.
The Thai star will be joined by Asian Tour stalwarts Gavin Green of Malaysia, the reigning Asian Tour No 1, Shiv Kapur of India, who won thrice last year, Korea’s Jeunghun Wang and Poom Saksansin, who was one of Asia’s standout performers in the EurAsia Cup.
Major champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden and title holder Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay will also feature in the elite field.
For more information and updates, visit maybankchampionship.com.my
