Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat was on a roll. He clenched his fist after his last putt of the day disappeared into the ground at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.

 

 

 

 

It was partly due to the fact that a third straight birdie at Club de Golf Chapultepec had given him a third 3-under 68 of the week and good for a career-best T3 in a World Golf Championships event.

 

 

More importantly, the 29-year-old was also relieved to put behind a string of lacklustre performances that shook his confidence while competing in his first full season on the PGA TOUR.

 

 

 

 

“I’ve been playing really tight all days, just waiting until the time was coming. I was even par after 15 holes, which is a top day for me. I just put a lot of pressure on myself, I wanted to do well here. The last few birdies mean a lot to me,” said Kiradech.

 

 

Starting the day in T7 position, Kiradech started his final round with a three-putt bogey on the third hole but gained the shot back on five with a seven-foot birdie conversion. He parred the next 10 holes before finishing in a flourish with three closing birdies.

 

 

He knocked it to 18 inches on 16 and then wedged it to four feet on 17 and 18 to close the week on 11-under 273, 10 shots behind winner Dustin Johnson who cruised to a five-shot triumph over Rory McIlroy for his sixth WGC win and 20th PGA TOUR career victory.

 

 

“The greens are really difficult. If you're not careful, it can hurt. I stayed patient all day. I'm still thinking off the tee that I can make a couple birdie at the end and then, I finally got it done,” said Kiradech, the first Thai to hold a PGA TOUR card.