WGC-HSBC Champions: Top five sleeper picks at Sheshan

3 of 6

MONZA, ITALY – OCTOBER 15: Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Malaysia smokes during the final round of The Italian Open at Golf Club Milano – Parco Reale di Monza on October 15, 2017 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

No, I didn’t pick Kiradech Aphibarnrat just to post another picture of the big Thai ripping a heater, but could you blame me?

His golf game is on somewhat of a heater, too. The 28-year-old heads to China seeking his fourth straight top-20 finish.

Aphibarnrat has had some issues getting to the finish line on Sundays, but that doesn’t take away from how well he’s playing. In his last start two weeks ago at the Italian Open, Aphibarnrat was in the mix for all 72 holes until Tyrrell Hatton seized the tournament and Aphibarnrat settled for a T2.

Recently, Aphibarnrat also tied for 15th at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and was T20 at the British Masters. Of his 15 made cuts in 22 starts in 2017, Aphibarnrat has five top-10s.

This will be his fourth WGC-HSBC Champions start. He tied for 30th in his last trip in 2015.

“I’m looking for a top-10 finish here,” Aphibarnrat told the Bangkok Post. “With the way I’m swinging and striking the ball, I’m really feeling very comfortable and confident on the golf course. I’ve played at the Sheshan International Golf Club on a few occasions. I couldn’t really produce my A game here in the past but it’s going to be different this week.”

Aphibarnrat has won in China before at the 2015 Shenzhen International. This year in China, Aphibarnrat tied for 21st at the Shenzhen International and missed the cut at the Volvo China Open.

Home/European tour