World No 82 Kiradech Aphibarnrat will start working with a new coach Pete Cowen of England this year
World No 82 Kiradech Aphibarnrat will start working with a new coach Pete Cowen of England this year with an aim to return to the top 50 and to end long drought of title.
The 27-year-old announced yesterday during a press conference he already parted with long-time coach Pompet Saraputthi to start with Cowen who used to coach several big names including Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and the Masters reigning champion Danny Willet.
“It’s time for me to move on to the next step in my career. I will have a new teamwork and I hope that will bring a new dimension in my life,” said Kiradech, winner of three European Tour titles.
Since winning the ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation at the end of 2015, Kiradech has yet to hold a trophy. He slipped out of the top 50 last season and failed in his campaign to get a card on the PGA.
“I wish to return to the top 50. I will play mostly on the European Tour this year and hope to start winning again in order to restore my confidence,” Kiradech said.
The Thai No 2 expected Cowen would help improve his ball striking technique which is the area of his expertise.
“If you look at the players he used to work with such as Stenson, Westwood or Mathew Fitzpatrick, they all have good tee-shots. So we will work on my swing,” added Kiradech who never before recruited a foreigner in his camp.
“I want to take a next step towards my goal. Even if I make the wrong decision, there’s nothing to lose. I’m willing to take a risk. If it doesn’t go my way, I still can come back to where I was standing.”
Kiradech will enter four tournaments in a row starting from next week in Abu Dhabi.
