In a very simply and straightforward decision Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat has withdrawn from this week’s Boonchu Ruangkit Championship, and an Asian Tour Development Tour event, to be assured of contesting next April’s Masters at Augusta National.

As is customary, the leading top-50 world ranked players as at 31st December each year receive a formal invitation in the post to contest the Masters.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat is now laughing all the way to Augusta and next year’s Masters with the assurance he will end 2017 ranked No. 49 in the world. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

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

But then if he did not tee-up in his homeland then he would strangelly jump two places and end the end ranked No. 49 in the world.

So, rather than risk not finished top-10 the Callaway-back Thai golfer advised Tour officials he was withdrawing.

However, spare a thought then for Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira who is this week ranked No. 49 in the world but with Aphibarnrat not competing in Thailand he will fall to 51st in the world and missing out on a Masters invitation by .0031 of a World Ranking point.