Abu Dhabi: Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat has signed with IMG for worldwide management and marketing representation.
The burly Thai is one of Asia’s most exciting young players having enjoyed a stellar 2013 season which included a win at the Maybank Malaysian Open and six top-five finishes.
He also went on to stun some of the US PGA Tour’s biggest stars with a third place finish at the 2013 CIMB Classic in Malaysia en route to topping the Asian Tour Order of Merit standings.
The 25-year-old turned professional in 2008 after a strong amateur career that included two World Junior Championship victories.
Kiradech’s breakthrough professional win came at the SAIL Open in India in 2009. Consistent play has seen him finish inside the top-10 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in four of the last five years.
In 2014, Kiradech represented the Asian team in the inaugural EurAsia Cup and, following a season beset by injury problems, including a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the US PGA Championship,  he is hoping for a strong start to 2015.
Kiradech said: “I am really looking forward to the fresh start of the new season and to getting back to winning ways. I am very happy to be signing with IMG whose credentials in client management are second to none in the industry. With offices all over the world, I know that wherever I play, I will have everything taken care of off course by IMG while I focus on playing my best golf.”
Guy Kinnings, Global Head of Golf, IMG, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, added: “We are delighted that Kiradech has chosen IMG as his management company and look forward to representing him. He is a wonderful character, a very exciting young talent and already has many fans around the world after his spectacular performances on the Asian, European and US PGA Tour last year.”
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, IMG also announced that Renato Paratore and Eddie Pepperell were joining their stable of players.