Chon Buri: Kiradech Aphibarnrat is ready to put up a performance befitting of his status as one of the Kingdom's best players when the Thailand Golf Championship gets underway at Amata Spring Country Club Thursday.
Having achieved much success worldwide, including two European Tour victories in China and Scotland this year, the world No.41 returns to Thailand for only his second competitive appearance on home soil this season.
Although he is up against a competitive field that includes past Thailand Golf Championship winners Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia as well as major winners such as Martin Kaymer, Darren Clarke and Bubba Watson, the 26-year-old Thai is quietly confident of his chances.
"It'll be good fun this week. I always look forward to playing at home whenever the opportunity arises,'' said Kiradech, who broke into the world's top 50 for the first time in his career this year.
"I've been striking the ball very well but I've also been playing a lot of golf lately and I just need to have a really good rest and I'll be ready."
The two-time Asian Tour winner is also seeking to become the first Thai to lift the prestigious Thailand Golf Championship trophy as the title has fallen into the hands of international players for four consecutive years since it was inaugurated in 2011.
"I'll have the entire support of 'Team Kiradech' this week. You will see everyone from my family, staff and children from my academy at Amata Spring. These are good enough motivations for me to do well," said Kiradech, who was Asia's No.1 in 2013.
Other Thais in the tournament include Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng, Prom Meesawat, Danthai Boonma and Natipong Srithong.
Meanwhile, Kaymer is returning to the Thailand Golf Championship with a point to prove.
The German finished tied second in his debut appearance last year and is determined to finish the tournament in pole position this time around.
"I came very close to winning the Thailand Golf Championship on my debut last year. So coming back here again this year makes me all the more determined take the silverware home with me this time," said the 2014 US Open champion.
"This is my last event for the year and obviously I want to end the year on a high note. I lost out to Lee by one shot last year and I hope to do better and get the job done this week."
The fifth edition of the Thailand Golf Championship welcomes more than 15 of the world's top-200 players.
A total of 19 players in the top-20 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit are also part of the field from over 32 countries.
From left, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thongchai Jaidee, Darren Clarke and Martin Kaymer hammed it up Tuesday at Vimanmek Mansion.
The Thailand Golf Championship is part of the British Open Qualifying Series (OQS) where four places will be up for grabs to the leading four players who have not already qualified for the 2016 Open Championship.
Team Asia, captained by Jeev Milkha Singh of India, will also name its 12-man team for the EurAsia Cup following the conclusion of the Thailand Golf Championship this week.
Also at Amata Spring will be Nathan Holman, who won the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.
Holman, who won his first European Tour event on the first play-off hole at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, had earmarked the Thailand Golf Championship as a way of earning his berth at Royal Troon next year.
His Australian PGA win, however, means he ends the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in first place, qualifying him for both the British Open and World Golf Championships.
"I was hoping to go to Thailand [on Thursday] and win a British Open spot but it looks like I've done it early," said Holman, who will be looking to become the first Australian to win the Thailand Golf Championship.