Asian Talents Realising American Dream

If all roads lead to Rome, it would be an apt sporting analogy to accede that all fairways meandering across the world of golf will steer the dreamers and gifted into golfing heaven that is known as the PGA TOUR

Ben An came agonisingly close to his first victory in June

Representing the pinnacle of professional tournament golf, the PGA TOUR undoubtedly attracts the greatest golfers on the planet which now includes a cosmopolitan line-up of 88 international players from 27 nations.

Interestingly, each member has undertaken unique journeys beginning from different starting points but eventually reaching their ultimate destination. And many will attest that Tiger Woods has been another major inspiration in their bid to shoot for the stars.

For Asia, a growing legion of young and exciting talents from South Korea, China, Japan, India and Chinese Taipei now realise their American dream, with big-hitting Kiradech Aphibarnrat being the latest. Kiradech has garnered sufficient FedExCup points to virtually become the first Thai golfer to earn a PGA TOUR card for the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season.

The 28-year-old Kiradech began his golfing adventure on the Asian Tour where his success led him to the European Tour. From there, he secured multiple victories to gain entry into the World Golf Championships, and two top-5s in the WGC-Mexico Championship and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play have since paved his way to the PGA TOUR this year.

In the case of Japan’s rising son Hideki Matsuyama , the 26-yea r-old simply skyrocketed into the big league in 2013 after amassing six top-25s in seven starts to earn his card via the non-member category. His talent was for all to see after he won the Asia- Pacific Amateur Championship twice (2010 and 2011) and he has since won five times on the PGA TOUR, including two World Golf Championships tournaments.

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