After withdrawing from the Genesis Championship, Kiradech Aphibarnrat fought back tears as he lost his DP World Tour card for 2027.

Upon arriving in Korea, the popular Thai star noted that his swing was already suffering, and playing 11 consecutive weeks to maintain his full playing privileges had severely fatigued his body, particularly his back.

Aphibarnrat posted a four-over-par 75 during his opening round at Woo Jeong Hills, then sat at five over through nine holes on Friday before withdrawing, sealing the end of his card retention hopes.It comes as LIV Golfers turn toward competing on the DP World Tour for 2027.

"First of all, I just have to apologize. I really let them (the fans) down," he told the DP World Tour. "There's not many times in my life that I have disappointed people, especially my family and all the fans.”

The four-time DP World Tour champion remains confident in his ability to secure a quick return when he competes at Qualifying School in Spain next month.

"In the last 15 years I've had a really good career but just the last three or four years haven't been easy. I'm a fighter so I believe I'm going to get past all of this and we'll come back strong.”

The former World No. 29 opened up about the severe physical and mental toll of fighting each week just to make the cut and retain his tour privileges.

"It's really difficult," he reflected. "The last 10 weeks were so tough, I made the cut on the number many times so I feel like on the mental part I'm working twice as hard as everybody else."

"My game was not quite there so I was trying hard from the first hole to the last one on the second day to make sure I make the cut. So every week after the round I felt like I didn't have any gas left in the tank."

Aphibarnrat has won four times on the European circuit and turned professional in 2008.

"I've got my tour card back twice on Q School, I need to go back there again and who knows it might be my best year next season," he said. "I just want to rest my mental side and my body and make sure I've prepared everything for Q School. And just keep moving forward."

Entering the event in South Korea at 108th in the Race to Dubai standings, Aphibarnrat required a finish of 26th or higher to secure a spot inside the top 100.