Published July 17, 2008 on April 24, 2018

Refreshed Kiradech Raring to go at the Volvo China Open

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Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat is itching to get back into action at the prestigious Volvo China Open which gets underway at the Beijing Topwin Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

After enjoying a two-week break at home following his second Masters appearance earlier this month, Kiradech is recharged and ready to contend at the CN¥20,000,000 (approx. US$3,178,000) event.

The 28-year-old Thai enters the week as the highest-ranked player in 32nd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). He will spearhead the Asian Tour challenge alongside 40 other winners, which includes young Indian talent Shubhankar Sharma, who leads the current Habitat for Humanity Standings.

“I haven’t played any tournaments since the Masters tournament earlier this month. The game’s feeling fantastic. Everyone will know after this week (laughs).It’s always nice to be back in China. I have won here before and my great-grandfather is from China. It will mean a lot to my dad if I can win again in China. The golf courses here are always in fantastic shape. You got to putt well for sure.Topwin Golf and Country Club is a tough course but it’s in a fantastic shape. The fairways are narrow but I always feel great playing in China.I have worked really hard for the last eight months so I took a two-week break after The Masters tournament. I didn’t practice at all and was just resting at home, trying to regroup myself and think about my next goal.My goal at the start of the year was to break into top-30 on the Official World Golf Ranking and then reward myself with a new car and watch. I am happy to have achieved that. I am now aiming to break into top-20. If I can do that, I will buy another two cars!I feel refreshed for the week and I am ready for the challenge. I look forward to the week and I will try to play some low scores out there,” said Kiradech.

China’s number one Haotong Li, winner of the Volvo China Open in 2016, will also take aim at recapturing the trophy on home soil and become only the second player, following Alexander Levy in 2017, to win the tournament twice.

Micah Shin of the United States, a one-time Asian Tour winner, is hoping to put up a good showing this week for a memorable China debut. Japanese hotshot Yuta Ikeda is also looking to continue his good form when he makes his first appearance in the Volvo China Open this week.

The 24th edition of the Volvo China Open is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour, and the China Golf Association. It is staged for the third successive year at the Topwin Golf and Country Club.

Other notable names include reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia, Australian Scott Hend, Wenchong Liang of China, Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, as well as India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar.