Kiradech gets a call for Royal Trophy
Runaway Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat is the latest star to be selected to represent Asia in the seventh edition of the Royal Trophy to be held at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangdong, China, from December 20-22.
The Thai golfer’s stunning achievements this year means he is virtually certain to finish at the top of the Asian Tour – with earnings currently almost double those of second placed Scott Hend of Australia. And his remarkable performances in top class company have earned him a spot in what is shaping up to be the strongest Asian Team assembled so far in the history of the region's original team golf competition. Kiradech, 24, has produced some spectacular golf to surge clear of his rivals on Tour, highlighted by his victory in the 2013 Maybank Malaysian Open.
Asian Captain YEYang and vice-captain Zhang Lian-wei called up Kiradech soon after naming his fellow Thai star Thongchai Jaidee for a record-breaking sixth Royal Trophy appearance. Thongchai, who has won the Asian Tour Order of Merit three times, tipped Kiradech as a future dominant player several years ago, and there is every chance the Thai golfers will team up against Europe at the Dragon Lake Golf Club. That prospect clearly appeals to Kiradech, who shares Thongchai’s burning passion for the competition.
“It is fantastic that Thongchai and I are both in the Asian Team. We will be carrying the Thai and the Asian flags and we will play our hearts out to retain stewardship of the beautiful solid-silver Trophy donated by His Majesty our beloved King of Thailand. This is a championship that is to be held in the highest regard and that is to be treated with the greatest respect by all Asian golf,” Kiradech said.
