Kiradech Aphibarnrat

On Sunday Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat won his first European Tour title at the Malaysia Open. As this talented player makes his mark on European golf, this week's player profile introduces fans to the newest member of the European Tour's winner's circle.

23-year-old Kiradech was born in 1989 in Bangkok, Thailand. After taking to the game at a young age, Kiradech enjoyed a successful junior golf career, winning his age category at the 2003 Junior World Golf Championships, a victory he repeated the following year. In 2007 his team won a gold medal at the World University Games.

Following his professional debut on the Asian Tour in 2008, Kiradech weathered the competition at the top level of golf in the East. He joined the Japan Golf Tour in 2009, winning his first tournament that year at the Singha Pattaya Open, an event on the Mercedes-Benz Tour. He beat Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines by an impressive 11 strokes to clinch his first professional title.

Kiradech won his first Asian Tour event in 2011 when he lifted the trophy at the SAIL Open, beating Mohammad Siddikur of Bangladesh. During the same season, he was part of Thailand's national team at the World Cup of Golf, and in 2012 he played on the winning Asian team at the Royal Trophy.

Following his initial success on the Asian Tour, Kiradech set his sights on a European Tour victory when he led last week's Malaysia Open from the first round. As he held off a highly-ranked field of European players, the young Thai champion held his nerve to win for the first time at a European Tour event. This victory at a co-sanctioned event also counts as his second title on the Asian Tour.

As Kiradech Aphibarnrat celebrates his first victory on the European Tour, golf fans should keep an eye on this talented young player as he continues to make his mark on world golf.

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