Thai trio ready to tackle the beast of Carnoustie

Thai trio ready to tackle the beast of Carnoustie

Kiradech eyes 'perfect' birthday gift at Open

Thai players Kiradech Aphibarnrat, left, and Jazz Janewattananond during a practice round at Carnoustie. reuters Jason Cairnduff
Thai players Kiradech Aphibarnrat, left, and Jazz Janewattananond during a practice round at Carnoustie. reuters Jason Cairnduff

Carnoustie: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jazz Janewattananond and Danthai Boonma, who will fly the Thai flag at the British Open, hope to produce good results when the major gets underway at Carnoustie.

While Kiradech, 28, will be playing in his fifth Open, Jazz and Danthai, both 22, will make their major debut.

Kiradech will play alongside defending champion Jordan Spieth of the US and Olympic champion Justin Rose of England in the first two rounds.

Danthai is grouped with American Mark Calcavecchia and Shaun Norris of South Africa, while Jazz will play with Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay and Jordan Smith of England.

Kiradech finished 15th at the US Open last month and the result has boosted his confidence.

The big-hitting player hopes to take advantage of his recent good form and try to make the cut for the first time at the world's oldest major championship.

"I will try and play my best this week. If I can put up a good showing, it will be a perfect birthday gift for myself," said Kiradech, who turns 29 on Monday.

"I am playing with Rose and Spieth tomorrow [today]. I want to make the Asians feel proud by playing well alongside them.

"I am looking forward to this week. I will just stay focused and try to keep the ball in play. Carnoustie is one of the toughest courses for the Open. I have to make sure I missed at the right spots to give myself opportunities to get up and down and avoid the bunkers out there."

He made his debut at the British Open in 2013 and qualified for four straight years before missing out on the 2017 edition.

Kiradech has enjoyed a spectacular season so far, claiming his fourth European Tour victory at the World Super 6 Perth in February.

He went on to clinch a tied-fifth finish at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play the following month.

With his fine results, he looks set to claim PGA Tour membership for next season.

Kiradech sang high praises for Jazz.

"I played with Jazz yesterday and we enjoyed a good round. We're sharing a house this week. Jazz is one of the up and coming golfers from Thailand and I think he has a bright future. This boy has the game and the skills to challenge at the highest level," Kiradech said.

Jazz hopes to cap a memorable return to Carnoustie by putting up a good showing.

When Padraig Harrington defeated Sergio Garcia in a play-off to win the Open at Carnoustie in 2007, a 10-year-old Jazz, who was in Scotland for the Junior Open then, caught the action live with his father from the grandstand.

Eleven years on, Jazz returned to Carnoustie for his first appearance at the Open.

"It's great to be back in Carnoustie. My dad brought me here to watch Tiger Woods play the Open in 2007. We were amongst the spectators here when Padraig Harrington defeated Sergio Garcia to win that year.

"It's great to be back here with him and to have him watch me play in my first ever major championship," said Jazz, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

Three weeks prior to his major debut, Jazz won his second Asian Tour title at the Queen's Cup on home soil.

"The golf course [Carnoustie] is looking good. It's amazing to be able to play in such a big event. The course set-up is great. The greens are firm and fast. It's going to play tough. It's been very overwhelming for me so far, playing in the first major of my career this week. There are grandstands everywhere. I'm nervous, yet excited at the same time," Jazz said.

Danthai said: "I'm very excited to play in my first major this week. My parents are here in Scotland for the first time and they are enjoying themselves too.

"A lot of superstars are here. I would love to see Tiger Woods, for sure."

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