Kiradech Aphibarnrat is aiming for a home win to complete his recent renaissance as he tees it up at this week's Thailand Classic.
The DP World Tour is back in Thailand for the first time since 2016, with Aphibarnrat leading the home charge as he searches for Tour win number five to end a five-year drought.
The popular 33-year-old claimed the last of his victories at the 2018 ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth but since then has secured just three top tens on the DP World Tour after focusing much of his energies on action in the United States.
He spoke last year of his feelings of loneliness on the PGA TOUR but, after losing his DP World Tour card, a confidence-boosting week at the Qualifying School saw him regain his privileges on the Tour he calls "home".
And while he feels there will be some pressure on him at Amata Spring Country Club, Aphibarnrat could not be happier to be back in the country and on the Tour he loves.
"It’s really difficult for me to describe how happy I am right now," he said. "To be practising, playing, in front of my home country, the fans, I really enjoy it.
"The week hasn’t started yet – I’m not playing my best the last few years – but so far it’s the most happiness I’ve had in the last two years.
"I’m playing better golf. Still not the best performances since my first six or seven years on Tour, but it’s getting there.
"The last six months I’ve been going in the right direction, working on the swing and at home with my mentality on the golf course.
"I think because I moved back on the DP World Tour, I feel more comfortable. It’s like home and all the players are like family. The DP World Tour staff, referees and staff behind the scenes. It feels like I’m back home again. We have a lot of chat and I feel comfortable. It’s the Tour I belong on.
"I think the expectation is the pressure, everyone wants to have it. I don’t take it for granted.
"I just want to go out and enjoy the happiness and my life over the next four or five days, these are the best moments that I should keep as much as I can. Whatever the result, I’ll try to accept it and move forward.
"I’m playing good and to win in my home country, with home fans would be the best. If not, I’ll try to show them and I hope this event will be in Thailand for another ten years, and I hope to be here for the next ten years – so I have ten more chances to win in this place. I really want to win in my home country."
Aphibarnrat is also happy to see "legend" Thongchai Jaidee in the field this week, as the 53-year-old returns to the DP World Tour from over-50s golf.
The eight-time winner now plays most of his golf on the Champions and Legends Tours, and he is delighted to see young talent - such as 15-year-old 'TK' Ratchanon Chantananuwat - emerging.
"I’m very excited to be back on the DP World Tour in Thailand," he said. "We haven’t had the DP World Tour here for a long time.
"The most important thing for me is that the DP World Tour is back in Thailand. For me, in front of my family, the fans, I really enjoy showing my game.
"It’s important for me, Kiradech and young players to be on Tour. I’m very proud to see this tournament back in Thailand and I’m very excited.
"I hope to see the younger players in action. Kiradech is getting better after injury.
"I played with TK today, he’s a good kid. I think good enough to play on Tour. I’d love to see the young kids grow up like that and make it to the DP World Tour or PGA TOUR.
"I hope this tournament gives him (TK) a lot of experience and learning about how to play with the European players, the good plyers this week. We’ve got a good field this week, a lot of young talent.
"This golf course is amazing, everything is good, I’m excited to be back in my home country. Everyone is excited about the tournament."
And Jaidee was not the only one excited to take on Amata Spring and its signature 17th, where you need to take a boat to the island green.
"Amata Spring is one of the best golf courses in Thailand," said Aphibarnrat. "If you come to visit and don’t play golf here, you miss something, same as if you didn’t have Pad Thai in Thailand."
