Thai stars Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee claimed the top accolades at the 2013 Asian Tour awards night as the region’s top performers were honoured in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, right, receives an award from Asian Tour chief Kyi Hla Han.
Kiradech swept the players’ player of the year title and special achievement award to go with the prestigious Order of Merit crown.
Thongchai was named the player of the decade (2004-2013), an award voted by the players in conjunction with the Asian Tour’s milestone 10th season last year.
The 24-year-old Kiradech won once and posted five other top-five finishes in 2013 to earn over US$1 million.
“My success on the Asian Tour would not have been possible without the strong support from my family. I want to thank them and I also want to pay tribute to my late coach Natpasit Chokthanasart who passed away late last year,” said Kiradech.
“He played a key role in shaping my game and made me become the player that I am today.”
Canada’s Richard T Lee scooped the rookie of the year award after his memorable debut season where he posted three top-10s to finish in 32nd place on the Order of Merit.
Lee has since claimed his maiden Asian Tour title, winning the Solaire Open in Manila last month.
Amata Spring Country Club in Chon Buri was voted by the players as the best golf course for the third consecutive year while Alpine Golf Resort in Chiang Mai was recognised as the best golf resort.
Meanwhile, the 2014 Thailand Ladies Amateur Open has been suspended, organisers said yesterday.
The Thailand Ladies Golf Association (TLGA) confirmed that it would not organise the tournament because of the on-going political problems.
TLGA official Rae-vadee T Suwan said foreign players felt unsafe to play here so the association decided to not stage the event this year.
The tournament was planned to take place at Royal Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Nakhon Nayok from May 7-9.
Last week, the association announced it would not organise the Thailand Ladies Open this year because it could not get enough sponsors.