Asian Tour star Kiradech Aphibarnrat begins his quest for a PGA Tour card when he competes in the first of four legs of the Web.Com Finals starting in Ohio on Thursday.
The 2013 Order of Merit champion hopes to follow in the footsteps of India’s Anirban Lahiri, who used a similar route to earn his playing rights in America last season.
The top-25 players on the money list following the conclusion of the Finals next month will earn PGA Tour cards, which Kiradech hopes to get his hands on.
“I’m looking forward to competing over the next few weeks. It is a good opportunity to try to get my PGA Tour card and I hope to play well to achieve my dream,” said the 26-year-old Thai.
He earned his place in the Finals through his non-member points list status and amongst those who will be chasing their American dream from this week include Korea’s K.T. Kim, who represented Team Asia in the EurAsia Cup against Europe earlier this year.
Kiradech is in some good form, having finished tied fifth at the Olympic Games in Rio last month. He then spent time at home preparing for his Finals quest where he underwent five kilometer runs on the threadmill daily which saw him shed five kilograms from of his burly frame.
“My game is feeling good right now and it’s going to be case of trying to learn the golf courses in the next few weeks and having a good game plan,” he said.
“I’ve been working out and have lost some weight, and it feels better,” added the world number 61.
It is anticipated that approximately US$36,000 will be sufficient for players to finish in the top-25 bracket.
