Kiradech Aphibarnrat is driven by legacy, and his first stint on the PGA Tour is what he believes inspires the next generation of golfers in Thailand to step up.
Aphibarnrat’s time in the United States may not have matched his lofty standards, but making the world’s toughest golf tour proved a point back home that it can be done by dreaming big and taking risks.
In that extremely rare league of Thai pros to compete on the PGA Tour, Aphibarnrat is driven to get back there once more.
Growing up in Bangkok and watching Thai stalwarts like Boonchu Ruangkit, Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant achieve their dreams by thinking big and show the way to the young crop, Aphibarnrat is occupied by the biggest item on his to-do list.
After losing his PGA Tour card and getting back on the DP World Tour, which he calls home, Aphibarnrat is certain he will be back in the US.
Sore point
Confident of rediscovering his ‘A’ game, which will pave the way, Aphibarnrat’s sole concern of being held back is the taped right knee, which is a grim reminder of the week of The Masters in 2019.
Aphibarnrat is guarded about the awkward tumble while attempting an unconventional shot to recover from the tress on Hole 17 of the Augusta National Golf Club. The fall resulted in a tear near the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but Aphibarnrat chose to play on and complete the week.
Aphibarnrat has not spoken much about the incident since then, but he opened up to Telecom Asia Sport in the shade of the driving range at the DLF Golf and Country Club at Gurugram, in the northern Indian state of Haryana.
Here for the Hero Indian Open, the second event of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, Aphibarnrat’s pain came through as he said with a grimace, “That fall almost cost me everything in my career.”
The knee has been taped since that day, and Aphibarnrat definitely ranks high in the list of professional athletes to compete while carrying an injury for so long. The best of medical advice has been sought across continents, but Aphibarnrat is not convinced that surgery will help.
I even consulted one of the surgeons who operated upon Tiger Woods, but even he could not guarantee that going under the knife would ensure recovery.
Aphibarnrat said
Lest it be interpreted as fear of the surgeon’s knife, he clarified, “Even if a doctor can tell me that I will be 10 per cent better after surgery, I will go ahead, but I have not got that assurance.”
Holding back every time he tees off in order to protect the knee is a tactic Aphibarnrat isn’t happy about, but such are the demands of time. He is cautious in the gym as extra workouts can lead to inflammation, and short breaks are a must in the midst of the season to rest the sore area. Physiotherapy is the sole hope as the Thai strives to get fit.
No walking away
A multiple winner in Asia and Europe, Aphibarnrat’s recent run can be seen in the light of the lingering injury, which restricts mobility on the course.
The player does not want to use it as an excuse though, and admitted that there were times when he wanted to walk away. It was faith that has prevented him from doing so. The confidence that he can roll back the years of excellence and get back to the PGA Tour, and the belief of his support team.
I realized I love the game far too much to leave, besides my sponsors have faith that I will do well again.
Aphibarnrat said
Aphibarnrat’s last win on Tour came in 2018, and while work never stops in the quest of excellence, he is certain that once he makes his way to the PGA Tour, the calendar will be planned more carefully. A top-10 finish on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai (Order of Merit ranking) can be one of the routes to the US, and Aphibarnrat is hopeful that time will come soon.
Every week will see no let-up in intensity, but this time Aphibarnrat will divide weeks between the US and his current workplace once he has playing rights on both Tours.
At 36, he is not getting younger, and while Aphibarnrat is much better prepared after the eye-opening experience the first time, life in the US, away from friends and family, will be conditioned by the past.
A balance will be struck this time as while competing hard Aphibarnrat will ensure that solitude on Tour doesn’t add to his daily struggle with the troublesome knee.
