High Hopes for Hong Kong in Hangzhou

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong, China squad heading to Hangzhou for the 19th edition of the Asian Games looks to be the strongest the city has ever sent, both on paper and in terms of recent performances.

Nothing is being taken for granted – especially given how strong the fields are in both the men’s and women’s competitions – but what’s not in doubt is that the tournament will give the city’s rising stars another chance to mix it with the world’s best, and to prove that they belong at the very top of the game.

“We feel this is the strongest squad we’ve ever taken to the Asian Games and we have an exciting blend of experience and youth,” said the Golf Association of Hong Kong’s Head Coach Tim Tang. “The players can’t wait to get out there.”

A look down the list of players heading to the West Lake International Golf Course for the September 28-October 1 action shows the strength in depth Hong Kong enjoys these days, with the men’s squad being led by the Asian Tour’s Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung, alongside experienced pros in Jason Hak and Terrence Ng.

Meanwhile, ground-breaking LPGA veteran Tiffany Chan will be joined by rising teenage stars Arianna Lau and Sophie Han on the women’s side.

Tang was recently in Hangzhou with the men’s squad for a familiarity tour which took in the course.

It will be a second consecutive Asian Games for Cheung and Ng, who were in action in Jakarta in 2018, while Hak was first part of the Asian Games team when Hong Kong made its debut in golf at the Guangzhou edition of the games in 2010.

That was the event that convinced Chan she should set her sights on life as a professional golfer and she’ll be able to pass on a wealth of experience to both Lau and Han as they make their Asian Games debuts.

Kho will also be making his debut and says the event has loomed large as he has plotted his course in the game, from university standout at Notre Dame and on to the professional ranks he entered so memorably with victory at the Asian Tour’s World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club in March.

"It’s always been a big one in terms of my plans,” said Kho. “It’ll be great to play for Hong Kong, China and to share the experience with players I have known for so long.”

*Article by Golf Association of Hong Kong, China