Aphibarnrat Withdraws In Korea, Loses DP World Tour Card

Kiradech Aphibarnrat withdrew during the second round of the Genesis Championship in South Korea on Friday, ending his bid to keep his 2027 DP World Tour card.

The 37-year-old Thai player, a four-time DP World Tour winner and former World No. 29, opened the week with a four-over 75 at Woo Jeong Hills. He was five over through nine holes in round two when he withdrew, closing out any remaining chance of retaining full playing privileges for next season.

Aphibarnrat said playing 11 consecutive weeks in an effort to hold onto his card had worn down his body, particularly his back, and that his swing was already struggling by the time he arrived in Korea. He had made the cut on the number in several of those weeks while trying to stay inside the card-retaining positions.

"We'll come back strong," he said.

Most attention on tour each week goes to the players competing for titles and prize money atop the leaderboard. Aphibarnrat's week reflects the other end of the standings, where dozens of players spend the closing months of the season fighting to stay inside the positions that retain full status for the following year.

Aphibarnrat, one of the more popular figures on the DP World Tour, has come back from losing his card before, winning it back at Q-School in both 2022 and 2023. He is set to attempt the same route again next month at Q-School in Spain.