Bandar Seri Begawan, February 23: Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat will lend his star credentials to the inaugural Richard Mille Brunei Championships which gets underway on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in a fortnight.

The 28-year-old Thai, who claimed his third Asian Tour title and fourth European Tour victory in Perth two weeks ago, will return to the Empire Golf and Country Club for the first time in six years when he headlines the US$60,000 ADT event from March 7 to 10.

Kiradech, also a two-time winner on the region’s secondary circuit, expressed his excitement in the tournament, despite having to travel to Brunei from Mexico, where he will be playing the WGC-Mexico Championship next week.

“I played in Brunei a few years back and I am happy to be going back to this golf course again. It is a pleasure to receive an invitation to play in Brunei. It’s an honour although I know I have to travel for about 35 hours from Mexico to Brunei,” said Kiradech.

The big-hitting Thai, who was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion in 2013, propelled to a career-best 37th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) following his triumph in Perth.

He lifted the ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation trophy for the second time in his career last December before finishing inside top-five at the Asian Tour season-ending Indonesian Masters to break into the world’s top-50 and earn a spot at The Masters this April.

I think it’s always good to help build the secondary Tour which provides opportunities for budding golfers to compete against each other before earning their playing rights on the Asian Tour.

“I am glad I have the opportunity to do so now. This is going to be a great event and I am looking forward to return to the golf course and show my support for the ADT,” added Kiradech, who sits in second place on the latest Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.

Other notable players in the field include reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Pannakorn Uthaipas, four-time ADT winner Panuwat Muenlek, both of Thailand, as well as American John Catlin, Oskar Arvidsson of Sweden and Steve Lewton of England.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will also earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Ends.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points