HK golfer Taichi Kho records historic victory at World City Championship
Taichi Kho made history on Sunday by becoming the first player from Hong Kong to win an Asian Tour event after he recorded a hugely popular and significant victory at the inaugural World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club.
Kho, who only turned professional in January, triumphed by two shots from New Zealand’s Michael Hendry on another wet day at the Hong Kong Golf Club to fittingly celebrate the week he was announced as an ambassador for the club and the return of international tournament golf to the SAR for the first time in 38 months.
The 22-year-old closed with an even-par 70 to finish the tournament, which was reduced to 54 holes because of the inclement weather, on 12 under, and also secure one of the four spots up for grabs in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July.
He will also become the first Hong Kong player to compete in The Open.
“Being at home, in front of everyone, having my parents here, it just means the world to me. I want to say thank you to everyone,” said Kho. “I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have this opportunity. To play on the Asian Tour and represent Hong Kong Golf Club, to play well with both those things it is very special. The fans gave me a lot of momentum, thank you to Hong Kong.”
Hendry shot a 68, while Australian Travis Smyth returned a 66 to finish third, three behind Kho.
This is only Kho’s third event as a professional on the Asian Tour as he made it through the Tour’s Qualifying School in January. He is the third fastest graduate from the school to win on tour.
"Taichi Kho's victory in the World City Championship on home ground, is a solid achievement of the Hong Kong golf sector's efforts in nurturing of young athletes over the years,” Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Sunday. "Taichi Kho has proved the strength of Hong Kong athletes with his extraordinary skills."