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Kiradech hungry for victory at CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters
Inspiring the future: Louis Oosthuizen, (from left) Thongchai Jaidee, Bernd Wiesberger, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, George Gandranata and Victor Dubuisson pose for photographers with young golfers after a press conference at Royale Jakarta Golf Club in East Jakarta on Wednesday
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span class="inline inline-center">Inspiring the future: Louis Oosthuizen, (from left) Thongchai Jaidee, Bernd Wiesberger, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, George Gandranata and Victor Dubuisson pose for photographers with young golfers after a press conference at Royale Jakarta Golf Club in East Jakarta on Wednesday. The four-day CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014 begins on Thursday. JP/P.J. Leo
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, is hoping to get back onto the winning trail at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters after recently being discharged from hospital.
The Thai ace, who also collected the Players' Player of the Year title and a Special Achievement Award at the Asian Tour Awards Night on Tuesday, was forced to withdraw from the third round of the Malaysian Open last week because of tonsil inflammation. He was admitted to a local hospital and was only discharged on Monday afternoon.
'I'm still not feeling 100 percent but I'm recovering well and will still give it my best. Having said that, if I didn't feel ready I would not show up. I'm here for the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters and that says everything,' Kiradech said in a release.
The 24-year-old hopes winning the three awards is a sign of good things to come at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters this week.
'I won three awards at the Asian Tour Awards Night last night and I am very happy that I can make it for this event.
To be able to win the Order of Merit title is like a dream come true for me. It's a great start to the week and I hope it continues ['¦] that way,' said Kiradech.
Meanwhile, Kiradech's compatriot and the EurAsia Cup's Team Asia captain, Thongchai Jaidee, believes the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters is ready for its first Asian champion since the event was inaugurated in 2011.
'There are a lot of new faces on the Asian Tour now compared to ten years ago. The Asian Tour has grown a lot over the years and it's always exciting to see Asian players playing well all around the world,' said Thongchai, who has an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles and 13 victories under his belt.
'I hope there will be an Asian winner this week but they are also many good players [from other regions] like Louis Oosthuizen and Victor Dubuisson. They are all in good form and playing well. It'll be exciting as anyone could do well out here,' Thongchai said.
Fresh from leading the region to a memorable draw with Europe at the recent Ryder Cup event last month, the inspirational Thai captain, who was voted by players as the Asian Tour Player of the Decade (2004-2013), is also optimistic about his own chances at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.
'Everyone wants to win the trophy but it's not easy. You need a perfect week to win. For me, I'll try to do my best, like I do every week on tour,' said Thongchai. ' JP
