Big-hitting Thai golfer Kiradech Aphibarnrat has promised to live up to his reputation as 'Asia's John Daly' and wow fans with booming drives during this week's World Cup of Golf.
Aphibarnrat will partner countryman Prom Meesawat at the $US7 million World Cup at Melbourne's Metropolitan Golf Club, an unofficial US PGA Tour event which sees 28 two-man teams play four-ball (best ball) in rounds one and three and foursomes (alternate shot) on the second and final day.
With a long, looping swing reminiscent of two-time major winner Daly, world No.36 Aphibarnrat has built an impressive career featuring four European Tour victories using a similarly powerful driving game.
The 29-year-old insists he won't be shelving the driver at Metropolitan, despite the iconic Melbourne sand belt course requiring meticulous strategy to avoid punishing areas off the fairways and around the greens.
"That's my game," Aphibarnrat told AAP after a practice round on Tuesday.
"I thrashed my driver on a couple holes today and I'd say I will continue to do that this week.
"It's my first time at the course but it doesn't feel that narrow."
Aphibarnrat says he has developed a level of comfort playing on Australian courses, having won the European Tour-sanctioned Perth Super 6 tournament earlier this year.
"The golf courses in Australia are really unique," Aphibarnrat said.
"Bunkering at Metropolitan is tight around around the greens and when the wind picks up, it's strong.
"I've had a good career here and I really love this country. I come here often and my wife used to study in Melbourne.
"There is a lot of history here, a lot of the great golfers are from Australia."
Aphibarnrat's teammate Meesawat also has a unique nickname, 'Big Dolphin', due to his burly physique and coastal Thai origins.
The world No.488, who plays primarily on the Asian Tour, is inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father Suthep and represent Thailand at a golf World Cup.
Meesawat Snr., now 70, played in the 1982 Cup and was the first local golfer to win the Thailand Open in 1991.
"It will be a very special moment for me to play for Thailand like my father. Any time you can play for Thailand is a special moment," Meesawat said.
Share
