Thai golfer Kiradech Aphibarnrat saw his arduous bid to secure a full DP World Tour card for the 2027 season come to an end when he withdrew during the second round of the Genesis Championship in South Korea. The 37-year-old had played eleven consecutive weeks on the circuit in a desperate attempt to climb inside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai standings, ultimately falling short of his target.
- Kiradech Aphibarnrat entered the tournament ranked 106th on the Race to Dubai points list.
- He opened his campaign at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club with a four-over 75.
- After playing the front nine of his second round in 41 strokes, he withdrew due to physical exhaustion and back pain.
- Several other notable names, including Pablo Larrazabal and Ross Fisher, also finished outside the top 100.
The Toll of an Exhausting Campaign
Aphibarnrat arrived at the venue needing a strong finish to guarantee his playing rights for the upcoming campaign. However, the heavy workload of playing more than two months without a break caught up with his body. During his second round, the physical strain became too much, forcing him to walk off the course before completing eighteen holes. In an emotional interview following his exit, the veteran golfer expressed deep disappointment over failing to meet the expectations of his supporters, though he confirmed his fighting spirit remains intact.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying School
Despite the setback, Aphibarnrat intends to continue playing competitive professional golf and confirmed plans to enter the tour’s qualifying school in Spain in the coming weeks. Known for his resilience, the four-time European Tour winner has successfully navigated the Q-School route previously, regaining his playing privileges in both 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, players such as Pablo Larrazabal and Ross Fisher also missed the direct retention mark and will join the battle through qualifying events as they look to rebuild their status for the following season.
Keep browsing Sporting Avenue to get more interesting news from the world of sports. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the notifications instantly.
