Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat is the man in the big picture and with a big mission. The Thai golfer, who's known for his magnificent game, will feature in his fourth appearance at the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf later this year as he was one of the first 28 players announced by tournament officials today.

 

 

 

 

 

Contested at The Metropolitan Golf Club in the Melbourne Sandbelt from November 22-25, 2018, the 59th ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf will see 56 players vie for the largest prize money purse in Australian golf, with US$7 million on offer.

 

 

 

Kiradech, an 11-time international winner, said: “It’s always a pleasure to wear the Thai flag and play on behalf of our country. To play for the national team is fantastic and it means a lot to me. I haven’t played at The Metropolitan previously but Melbourne courses are always fantastic. There are not many other events where you can partner with another Thai player, so it’ll be good fun. I love playing in team events and you won’t feel lonely on the golf course. When you’re under pressure, you’ve got your partner to bring you up and when you succeed, you win together. Melbourne is also a great place to visit.”

 

 

 

In 2016, Kiradech tied for 19th with Thongchai Jaidee at six-under, and in 2013, he finished ninth with Prayad Marksaeng. In 2011, again with Thongchai, he tied for 13-under to finish T18. His best performance no doubt came in the 2013 individual competition, where he opened with a 71 and then fired three consecutive 70s to tie for fifth, seven shots short of winner Jason Day.

 

 

 

 

 

Thailand is no stranger to the World Cup of Golf, playing in its first event in 1957, in Japan. Brothers Manob Dabphavibul and Uthai Dabphavibul were on Thailand’s first team. This year marks the 20th appearance of Thailand in the competition, with its tie for fourth in 1969, behind the play of Sukree Onsham and Suchin Suwanapong, in Singapore, still the country’s best performance. In 1975, Thailand hosted its lone World Cup of Golf, at Navatanee Golf Course in Bangkok.

 

 

 

 

The committed player from each of the top 28 countries has until 5 p.m. USA eastern time on Thursday, 20 September to choose his partner for the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf. The field of 56 players will be final as of 20 September.

 

 

 

The 72-hole stroke play team format will feature Four-ball (best ball) play in the first and third rounds and Foursomes (alternate shot) play in the second and final rounds. In 2016, Danes Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen shot a final-round 66 in foursomes at Kingston Heath to win Denmark’s first World Cup of Golf title by four strokes over the United States, China and France.