It suits that Thai golfer Kiradech AphibarnratThe first of four career wins on the DP World Tour arrived at the 2013 Maybank Malaysian Open of the time, because in the coming years he will take the world of golf by storm.
Other golfers have shown a taste for finer things — Aphibarnrat’s soft spots have included Lambos, luxury watches and $25,000 sneakers — but not many have done so while hitting the gym and smoking a vape pen between shots. There’s a reason that “Barn Rat,” as he’s affectionately known, has earned the nickname “the John Daly of Asia.”
Aphibarnrat’s immense skill didn’t hurt his appeal, either. In April 2018, since his four DPWT victories were all behind him, he rose to 29th in the world. That same year he made the cut in three majors, including a 15th place at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Of Aphibarnrat’s high-roller lifestyle, his swing coach at the time, Mike Walker, said GOLF: “There is a bravado, so you run away from it. With some people, the lightning is based on the ego, and they want to show it to make others feel less. With Kiradech, you can see how much they like their games, so you have to smile about it.”
Aphibarnrat rolled, until he wasn’t. In 2020 and ’21, the Covid pandemic slowed its progression. But so did a nagging knee injury. In that stretch, he made only nine DPWT starts, and by 2022 had fallen out of the top 300 in the world. That year resulted in a trip to the Q school, like 2024. At that point, he played a full program again, but missed as many cuts as he did, a trend that continued in 2026.
By the time Aphibarnrat, who is ranked 108th in the DPWT Race to Dubai standings, arrived at this week’s Genesis Championship in South Korea – the final regular-season event on the schedule – he was facing a stark reality: finish 26th or better to break into the top 100 and with a solid chance of securing a 2027 schedule. And 27th or worse? Back to school Q.
Aphibarnrat’s trainer Kwanchai Tannin knew the stakes were high, so much so that earlier this week he sent Aphibarnrat pictures of Aphibarnrat’s four DPWT wins. “You still see it in me here,” Aphibarnrat said Wednesday. “It really pushes me. I believe I can get my fifth very soon. If I can still see, things can happen.”
Things happened in South Korea, just not the kind of things Aphibarnrat had in mind. On Thursday – in what was his 11th consecutive start and with a balky round – he opened with a four-over 75. On Friday, he suffered through nine more holes before his back couldn’t take it anymore. It was done. White flag. WD. On the tournament. In his season. In any hope of guaranteeing that he will avoid relegation.
Perhaps the only thing that lasted longer than Aphibarnrat’s back was his heart, as was evident in his post-WD interview with the DPWT in which he lashed out several times.
“I just have to apologize,” he said, speaking to his family and fans. “I really let it go. There aren’t many times in my life that I’ve disappointed people.
“In the last 15 years I have had a really good career, but only the last three or four years have not been easy. I am a fighter so I believe that I will go through all this and we will come back strong.”
Aphibarnrat spoke about the particular challenge of grinding through the last 10 weeks under do-or-die circumstances.
“I’ve made the cut on the number several times, so I feel like in the mental part I’ve worked twice as hard as everyone else,” he said. “My game wasn’t quite there, so I tried hard from the first hole to the last on the second day to make sure I made the cut.”
And now comes the prospect of an even bigger grind: the DPWT Q school, a gauntlet Aphibarnrat has survived twice before and is confident he can do it a third time.
“I’m a fighter,” he said. “I believe I will get through all of this and we will come back strong.”