Crans Montana, Switzerland: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat believes his global experience will see him hit top form when the Omega European Masters gets underway at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on Thursday.
The Asian Tour Order of Merit leader has already enjoyed an encouraging start to the week when he led his team to victory at the Credit Suisse Silver Pro-Am held on Monday.
But turning his attention to the €2.1 million, US$2.8 million showpiece event in Crans Montana, the 24-year-old is ready to challenge for his second win at a co-sanctioned event with the European Tour following his victory in Malaysia earlier this year.
“I’m feeling confident and I’m on form. The golf course and altitude is slightly different over here and distance control will be the key for me this week,” said Kiradech.
The Thai has come a long way since he turned professional in 2008. He earned his career breakthrough on the region’s premier Tour in India in 2011 and followed up that victory with his second win at the Maybank Malaysian Open this year.
Having earned the opportunity to play outside of Asia following his win in Malaysia, Kiradech has been receiving rave reviews for his string of impressive results on the international stage.
The Thai has played in two Majors and a World Golf Championship (WGC) event this year and his tied-25th finish at last month’s PGA Championship is a reflection of how far his game has progressed.
“I’ve getting used to the weather in Europe now and I’m beginning to enjoy my game in this part of the world. Expectations are higher for me now that I’ve played in two majors and I’m looking for that win in Europe now,” said Kiradech.
Kiradech is also determined to end his season as Asia’s number one and become the third Thai after Thongchai Jaidee (2001, 2004 and 2009) and Thaworn Wiratchant (2005 and 2012) to lay claim to that prestigious title.
“Winning the Order of Merit is my priority and that’s why I’m here this week. After this week, I’m planning to go back and play a few Asian Tour events so that I can continue to lead the money list,” said Kiradech.
The Omega European Masters is the only tournament on European soil to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour and will mark the start of the second half of the Asian Tour season.
