Kiradech Aphibarnrat with draws from tournament

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat made an eagle on the final hole at last week's Indonesian Masters to earn himself a possible place at The Masters. But why did he then withdraw from a tournament to secure a place at the Masters?

Aphibarnrat was down to play in the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in his home country, but it was confirmed on Thursday that Aphibarnrat was a late WD with a supposed bad back from the Asian Development Tour event, which is the final tournament offering Official World Golf Ranking points in 2017.import

The leading top-50 world ranked players as of December 31 each year receive a formal invitation to play in the Masters.

Aphibarnrat was ranked No. 51 in the world heading into this week’s event but on the advice of the Surrey-based World Rankings body he would need to finish top-10 to move inside the top-50 and secure the Augusta invitation.

But then if he did not play in his homeland event he would jump two places and end the year ranked No. 49 in the world. As there is no 'world rankling' golf event anywhere between Christmas and New Year, his place in the Masters would be secured.

So what's a chap to do? Well take the week off, and get over that bad back.

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