KIRADECH Aphibarnrat weathered four days of frustrating stoppages, as well as his medical condition, to become only the second Thai to lay his hands on the Seagram Trophy with a 13-under 203 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.
The Maybank Malaysian Open win saw this 23-year-old not only become richer in experience, but also walk away with a handsome pay cheque of US$458,330.
He joined his illustrious Thai brother Thongchai Jaidee who laid his hands on the Malaysian Open title twice in 2004 and 2005.
And what does he plan to do with the four-day salary: "I will give it all to my parents, and accept whatever they feel like giving me."
Kiradech was never upstaged at any point of the tournament, and held the lead on all three days with rounds of 65-68-70. Yesterday, even though he holed out with a bogey on the 18th, there were no challengers in sight as all of them fell by the 16th hole onwards.
Standing alone at second and just one stroke adrift was Italian Edoardo Molinari who pocketed US$305,550, while also alone on third was Dane Anders Hansen who had 11-under 205 for a US$172,150 pay-out.
"This win means a lot to me as its only my second Asian Tour title (first in 2011 Sail Open) and first in two years. I've been struggling a lot with my fitness and thyroid but it is now all worth it," said Kiradech.
And now, even though the Open is sanctioned by the Asian as well as the European Tour which doubles the title count, he wants to win a trophy on European soil.
"I want to represent Asia and win a trophy on European soil now," proclaimed the portly golfer.
The erratic weather pattern over four days played a major role in many of the big names, like world No 3 Luke Donald missing the cut, but the Thai sang in the rain like a birdie.
"The stoppages helped me preserve energy, which I needed badly because of my medical condition. And when I hit a bad shot on the 16th today (yesterday) play was again stopped and this helped me to be more calm when it resumed.
"And when i hit a birdie on the 16th, I knew that the title was mine to lose in the remaining holes," said Kiradech.
And after lifting the heavy Seagram Trophy, Kiradech quipped: "I lost all my energy after carrying the heavy trophy, and will have to go for an operation immediately after this (for his tyroid problem)."
But jokes aside, the Thai admitted that if the tournament had not been shortened to 54holes, he would not have had the energy to carry on.
"On the 16th onwards today (yesterday) it became increasingly difficult for me as I had almost lost all my energy and was not only trembling, but my voice was also breaking. My caddy told me to stay calm, as there were only two more to go and then my work would be done.
"So I am thankful that the tournament was shortened by rain."
