Kiradech stays in title hunt at WGC-Mexico Championship
Mexico City - For 10 holes, Kiradech Aphibarnrat felt on top of the world. Then his putting let him down.
The Thai star briefly led the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship after 10 holes of his second round at the Club Golf de Chapultepec but found himself on the bogey train with three dropped shots over his last eight holes.
At 7-under 135, Kiradech shares fifth place with amongst others, defending champion and world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, double Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson and CIMB Classic champion Pat Perez, four back of halfway leader Shubhankar Sharma of India.
Starting his day on the 10th hole, the Thai made birdies on 13 and 18 and eagled the par-5 15th hole after holing a 44-foot putt from the fringe. A five-foot birdie putt on the first hole pushed the Thai into the lead briefly on 10-under before dropped shots on the second, fourth and eighth holes took the gloss from what would have been a good day.
“My putting didn't work very well on the last eight holes, just two three putts on second and four. I hit it into the bush and then hit it on the green, which is better get a five and walk away from there. I mean, just bad drives on three holes and I didn’t seem to putt well,” said Kiradech, who is a former Asian Tour number one.
With a T18 being his best finish in his World Golf Championships career, the big-hitting Thai intends to step on the gas and contend over the weekend. “Just play the same thing. On this golf course, it's all about hitting more greens and hopefully the putts will drop. It can be a low round here, but it can be really difficult if you think too much,” he said.
