Portrush: Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat signed off with his best round at the British Open, carding a four-under-par 67 at Royal Portrush on Sunday.
Despite struggling with a knee injury and playing through the pain barrier all week, the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion showed grit and determination by ending the week on a high note.
"I managed myself really well today. I conserved my energy and managed to play in the wind. It was one of my best rounds at the Open.
"I've never had a good track record at the Open so it's nice to have a 67 on my card today. My job has been done for the week and I got a few weeks off to rest my knee," said Kiradech.
The Thai had only made the cut once in his previous five appearances before he teed up at Royal Portrush.
He started his week encouragingly with a bogey-free 68 but could not replicate his opening-round efforts when he posted a 73 on the second day.
Kiradech continued to endure the nagging pain felt throughout the week and settled for a third-round 77 before a final-round 67 saw him close with a four-day total of one-over-par 285.
"It was not fun playing with the pain all week. I tried to force myself, executing the full golf swing but it didn't work. I tried to hit it harder but the body is not 100 percent fit and ready," said Kiradech.
"But today, I changed my strategy by hitting the ball softer. When the wind is strong, you have to hit it softer which helps with the swing."
The other three Thais at Royal Portush -- Jazz Janewattanond, Prom Meesawat and Gunn Charoenkul -- all missed the cut.
South Korea's Pak Sang-Hyun took the honours of being the best-placed Asian player after posting a final-round 72 for tied-16th place.
Park, who finished second on the 2018 Asian Tour Order of Merit, was placed higher than major champions such as Louis Oosthuizen, Henrik Stenson and Jordan Spieth.
"I'm delighted to have made Asia and Korea proud today. It was not easy playing under such wet and windy conditions and we are generally not used to that. But I managed to hang in there all week and I'm glad my efforts paid off," said the 36-year-old Korean.