Kiradech Determined to End Season with Title in Boonchu Ruangkit Championship
Three-time European Tour winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat is eyeing on nothing but a title as he tees off this morning in the season-ending ADT Boonchu Ruangkit Championship at the Rancho Charvee Resorts and Country Club in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The current world No 81, competing in his only third home tournament in 2016, is determined to add his second ADT title on homesoil following the 2015 Thongchai Jaidee Foundation in October last year.
“I’m more ready than I was two weeks ago (at the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation where he finished tied 4th). I had a week break and my body feels much stronger,” added the 27-year-old whose last title came in the ADT Thongchai event at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.
Thailand hosts only two Asian Development Tour events, named after two well revered pro golfers Boonchu and Thongchai, in a single calendar. With his hand already having the touch on the trophy in Hua Hin 14 months ago, Kiradech felt he would be more accomplished with the title at the picturesque Rancho Charnvee.
“It will be an honour to win this tournament as I won the Thongchai Foundation already. But the field is very strong this week and even Thongchai himself is playing. It will be a challenging week for me,” the Thai No 2.
All the country’s best will be competing this week except Thaworn Wiratchant who is not available. Among them is young defending champion Phachara Khongwatmai who will be looking to repeat last year’s magic.
Having already retained his Asian Tour card for 2017 after finishing 14th on the Order of Merit, the 17-year-old Phachara will return to his winning ground with a lighter heart as he relishes the opportunity to play alongside Thai star Thongchai again.
“I remembered playing with Thongchai in the last two rounds last year. I needed to win the tournament last year as I was chasing for an Asian Tour card. I guess I was lucky to finish just one shot ahead of Thongchai and Chinnarat (Phadungsil),” said Phachara.
“I have learnt so much from playing with Thongchai last year. I am playing with him again for the first two rounds this week so I am really looking forward to it. It has been a solid season. I am happy with my results. I just want to enjoy myself this week,” Phachara added.
Thongchai, currently ranked 52nd in the world, needs to go one better in the 3,500,000 Baht (approx. US$100,114) ADT event to break into top-50 by the end of 2016 and qualify for the Masters Tournament next year.
The 47-year-old Thai, however, hopes to take things in his stride and just do his best in the tournament hosted by fellow Thai great Boonchu Ruangkit, a player whom he highly regards.
“I will play my best this week and not think so much about winning. If I can play well, everything will take care of itself. I feel very happy coming back here to play in Boonchu’s event,” said the three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
With three players inside top-six of the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit already secured their cards through the Asian Tour this season, the next highest ranked three players will be promoted onto the region’s premier Tour.
