Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jazz Janewattanond, Prom Meesawat and Gunn Charoenkul are ready to put up strong performances at the 148th Open Championship which gets underway at Royal Portrush next week.
The Thai quartet are proven winners in their own right and will now be seeking to extend their fine forms at golf’s oldest Major, which returns to the Dunluce Links after 68 years. As no player in the elite field has ever contested a Major at Royal Portrush before, the final Major of the year will now provide everyone with an equal chance at the spectacular links course on the coast of north Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Kiradech, the highest-ranked Thai at 51st on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), will be making his sixth appearance at The Open. While he has missed the cuts in four of his previous appearances, a tied-75th finish saw him make the weekend rounds for the first time at Carnoustie last year.
“I’ve worked hard over the last few years and I’ve given myself some chances. I’m not far off from winning. It’s a dream come true and I hope I can make my country proud with my achievements,” said Kiradech, the first Thai golfer to hold a PGA Tour card.
Kiradech has enjoyed an encouraging start in the United States with commendable results that include tied-third and fifth finishes at the WGC-Mexico Championship and AT&T Byron Nelson respectively this year.
“I want to do everything I can to win the biggest tournaments. That’s my goal,” said the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
Jazz Janewattananond (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
Jazz, who is one spot below Kiradech on the OWGR, is also making waves on the international scene and will be teeing up at The Open for the second time after winning the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open.
“Playing in The Open last year was a huge moment in my career and I’m so happy to have qualified again by winning the Singapore Open. I’m looking forward to the challenges at Royal Portrush,” said Jazz.
A fourth career victory at the Kolon Korea Open elevated his status to a career-high of 52nd place on the OWGR. The talented 23-year-old was also in contention at the PGA Championship in May, finishing a commendable tied-14 which is the best result by a Thai at that Major.
“I’ve been playing quite consistently this year and I’m really pleased with how things are going for me at the moment. I heard the conditions at Royal Portrush are going to be very tough but I’m ready,” said Jazz, who is currently leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit and the money list on the Japan Golf Tour.
Like Jazz, Prom is also making his second appearance at The Open. The two-time Asian Tour winner punched his ticket to The 148th Open with his tied-fifth finish in Singapore and will be hoping to extend his stay this time around at Royal Portrush.
“It’s nice to be going back to play in The Open this July for my second appearance in a Major championship. I still remember the experience of playing in The Open at Royal St George’s in 2011. I am happy to finally have the chance to play in The Open again,” said Prom.
Charoenkul, who finished second at Asian Tour Qualifying School in December last year to regain his tour card, will be making his debut at The Open after finishing tied-third at the Mizuno Open which was part of The Open Qualifying Series.
“This will be my first Major championship and it will be a valuable experience. I look forward to playing at Royal Portrush for the first time,” said Gunn.
Prom Meesawat (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Gunn Charoenkul (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)
