Nina Caldwell
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian and European tours. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, he turned professional in 2008 and plays from his home country. In 2018, Aphibarnrat became the first player from Thailand to gain membership status on the PGA Tour for the 2018–19 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kiradech Aphibarnrat |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Born | Anujit Hirunratanakorn |
| Date of Birth | 23 July 1989 |
| Height | 5'8" |
| Weight | 229 lbs |
| Age | 35 |
| Birthplace | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Turned Pro | 2008 |
| Career Earnings | $4,011,324 |
| Residence | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Plays From | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Family | Wife, Tunyatorn |
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What You'll Learn
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is Thai
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian and European tours. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 23, 1989, Aphibarnrat was originally named Anujit Hirunratanakorn. He changed his name following a Thai tradition that is said to bring good luck.
Aphibarnrat began playing golf at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. He won his age group at the Junior World Golf Championships in both 2003 and 2004. In 2007, he was part of the gold medal team at the Summer Universiade and took silver in the individual event at the Southeast Asian Games. Aphibarnrat turned professional in 2008 and started competing on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour the following year.
Aphibarnrat's first professional victory came in 2009 at the Mercedes-Benz Tour's Singha Pattaya Open, where he won by 11 strokes. He went on to achieve further success on the Asian Tour, winning the 2011 SAIL Open and the 2013 Maybank Malaysian Open (co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour). In 2018, Aphibarnrat made history by becoming the first player from Thailand to secure a PGA Tour card and gain membership status on the PGA Tour for the 2018-19 season.
Aphibarnrat has represented Thailand proudly on the global golf stage. He is known for his unique "Thai Spinner" chip shot and has competed in various international tournaments, including the BMW PGA Championship and the Maybank Championship Malaysia. With his impressive skills and dedication to the sport, Aphibarnrat has become a prominent figure in Thai golf, inspiring a new generation of golfers in his home country.
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He was born in Bangkok, Thailand
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a professional golfer who plays on the Asian and European tours. He was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 23, 1989, and turned professional in 2008.
Aphibarnrat has had a successful career, with notable victories including the Singha Pattaya Open in 2009, the SAIL Open in 2011, and the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2013. In 2018, he became the first player from Thailand to earn a PGA Tour card, gaining membership status for the 2018-19 season. This made him the first PGA Tour member from Thailand.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant street life, vibrant markets, and iconic landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. It is a popular destination for tourists, offering a unique blend of modern amenities and rich cultural heritage.
Aphibarnrat continues to reside in Bangkok, Thailand, and represents his country proudly on the global golf stage. He is known for his unique playing style, which includes the 'Thai Spinner' chip shot. His talent and success have brought attention to the growing golf scene in Thailand and inspired a new generation of golfers in his home country.
In addition to his golfing career, Aphibarnrat enjoys car racing, although he has since given up the hobby due to safety concerns. He also values his cultural traditions, as seen through his decision to change his name from Anujit Hirunratanakorn to Kiradech Aphibarnrat, following a Thai tradition believed to bring good luck.
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He was the first PGA Tour member from Thailand
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian and European tours. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Aphibarnrat began playing golf at the age of seven and soon rose through the ranks, winning his age group at the Junior World Golf Championships in both 2003 and 2004. He turned professional in 2008 and started competing on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour the following year.
Aphibarnrat's career took off with his first professional victory at the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Tour's Singha Pattaya Open, where he won by an impressive 11 strokes. He went on to secure his first Asian Tour win at the 2011 SAIL Open and then claimed his first European Tour victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open in March 2013.
In 2018, Aphibarnrat achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first player from Thailand to earn a PGA Tour card. This made him the first PGA Tour member from Thailand, a historic accomplishment for his country. Aphibarnrat's success continued as he gained membership status on the PGA Tour for the 2018-19 season.
Aphibarnrat has had several notable performances on the PGA Tour. In September 2021, he held the 36-hole lead at the BMW PGA Championship before finishing in a tie for second place. His talent and unique style have earned him the nickname "Asia's John Daly," comparing his physique and playing style to those of the renowned major championship winner.
Aphibarnrat's journey to becoming the first PGA Tour member from Thailand has inspired other golfers in his country and paved the way for increased representation in the sport. His success showcases the growing diversity and global reach of golf, as the sport continues to attract talent from all corners of the world.
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He is known for playing the 'Thai Spinner' chip shot
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian and European tours. He gained membership status on the PGA Tour for the 2018–19 season, becoming the first PGA Tour member from Thailand.
Aphibarnrat is known for playing the Thai Spinner chip shot, which is a challenging shot that isn't for the faint of heart. It is a unique solution for golfers dealing with grainy grass, which is commonly found in Thailand. The Thai Spinner is a low ball flight shot with high spin, making chipping on grainy grass easier.
To execute the Thai Spinner, a steep angle of attack is required, with the club hitting the ball just below the equator. Aphibarnrat, who grew up in Thailand, explained that the key to this shot is to ensure the right strike, picking the ball off the grass correctly, hitting the green, and then spinning. He typically uses his most lofted wedge and aims far left of his target.
The Thai Spinner is an impressive shot that can help golfers avoid common issues with close-range chips from just off the green. While it is a challenging shot to master, it can be a valuable addition to a golfer's repertoire.
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He was previously known as Anujit Hirunratanakorn
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who was born as Anujit Hirunratanakorn on 23 July 1989. He was previously known as Anujit Hirunratanakorn until his family decided to change his name for good luck when he was 16 years old. In 2005, Kiradech's family went to a monastery in northern Thailand for a renaming ceremony.
In Thai culture, it is common for people to change their names, and they can do so multiple times throughout their lives. Thai law requires people to have unique last names, and they can only share a last name if they are related.
Aphibarnrat turned professional in 2008 and started playing on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour in 2009. He won his first professional victory in 2009 at the Mercedes-Benz Tour's Singha Pattaya Open, which he won by 11 strokes. In 2011, he won his first Asian Tour victory at the SAIL Open. Aphibarnrat's first win on the European Tour was at the Maybank Malaysian Open in March 2013.
In 2018, Aphibarnrat gained membership status on the PGA Tour for the 2018-19 season, becoming the first PGA Tour member from Thailand. He has won multiple DP World Tour titles and is sometimes referred to as "Asia's John Daly" due to his "unathletic" physique compared to the two-time major championship winner.
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Frequently asked questions
Thai. Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a Thai professional golfer who became the first PGA Tour member from Thailand in 2018.
Aphibarnrat has had multiple wins on the DP World Tour and was the first-ever player from Thailand to earn a PGA Tour card. He has also won his age group at the Junior World Golf Championships in both 2003 and 2004.
Aphibarnrat is known for playing the 'Thai Spinner' chip shot. He is sometimes referred to as "Asia's John Daly", a comparison to his "unathletic" physique.
