Kiradech thanks Singh's Santi for his support

Despite facing a two-hour delay caused by thunderstorm during his final round at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club course, the 23-year-old kept his nerve to win the weather-interrupted event, which was reduced to 54 holes, by one stroke over Italy’s Edoardo Molinari.

Kiradech, whose current world ranking is 85, became only the fourth Thai to have won the European Tour event after twice Asian Tour No 1 Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant and Chapchai Nirat. 

After winning his second career title since the SAIL Open in India two years ago, Kiradech hopes to wrest the No 1 spot on the Asian Tour and break into the world top-50. He visited Santi Bhirombhakdi, the Singha Corporation president, on Friday to thank him for the support the company had given him since his amateur days before leaving to pursue his target first on the Japan Tour and the British Open. “The Malaysian Open victory meant a lot to me and my family. One person I never forgot is Khun Santi for the support he gave other Thai golfers and me. 

“I visited him today to ask for his blessings  before leaving to play in the Token Homemate Cup tournament in Japan and the British Open in England. Khun Santi congratulated me and told me to keep my concentration on each event I compete in. He said concentration is the key and wished me success at the Open,” said Kiradech.