Published July 17, 2008 on March 16, 2019

Kiradech Restores Pride with Second Round 69 at The Players Championship

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Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat redeemed himself with a second round 3-under 69 at THE PLAYERS Championship on Friday, a 15-shot improvement following a disastrous opening 84.

Kiradech, the first Thai to hold a PGA TOUR card, made six birdies at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, including one on the signature par-3 17^th hole which has proven to be a bane in two appearances in the TOUR’s flagship US$12.5 million event.

Following his punctuated week here, the 29-year-old will take next week off before teeing up at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin Country Club, Texas from March 27 to 31. Kiradech qualified for the quarter-finals last year.

He found some solace with his career third round in the 60s at TPC Sawgrass. “The way I’m playing is not much different from yesterday. I struck the ball quite well yesterday, hit it on target but my short game was quite disappointing. It was below my standard. I couldn’t get up and down from anywhere and my putting, I couldn’t hole putts,” said Kiradech.

“After I finished the first round, I was still confused and couldn’t figure out how I shot 12-over with the way I’m striking the ball. I hit it very similar today, hit it good. I’m actually happy with the way I’m playing.”

Teeing up in the morning on Friday presented calmer conditions for Kiradech who birdied three of the par-3 holes, including holing a 12-footer on 17 which he had made a double bogey five on Thursday. In his debut here last year, Kiradech was six-over on that hole which included a double bogey and quadruple bogey.

“I just wanted to go out there to make birdies and prove that I can play on this golf course,” said Kiradech. “At the end of yesterday, I almost gave up after a nearly six-hour round on a difficult golf course. It’s just one bad day and I turned it around nicely today and hopefully this three under will help build some confidence and momentum.

“There’s a lot of golf left this season. My mental coach always says it’s not the end of the world … who knows I might win in the next few weeks. Seeing a 15-stroke difference today, it’s not the end of the world.”

Kiradech will take it easy at his new base in Orlando before flying to Austin for the US$10.25 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. This will only be his second week off this year since the middle of January, with THE PLAYERS being his fifth week on the road.

“I’m looking forward to a week off. It feels like my back is against the wall, but I don’t think it can get any worse than this. I had a top-five in Austin last year, so maybe aim for a win when I get back there,” said Kiradech, who has two top-5s on the PGA TOUR this season and is currently ranked 48^th on the FedExCup points list.