It’s a Team Effort, Says Golden Boy Kho

Hong Kong SAR, China: Taichi Kho and his Hong Kong, China Hangzhou Asian Games team-mates have been hailed for their historic medal-winning performances.

At the Westlake International Golf Club on Sunday, Kho claimed Hong Kong’s first-ever golf medal at the Asian Games, striking gold in the men’s individual tournament.

Further kudos followed with Kho, Matthew Cheung, Jason Hak and Terrence Ng winning the bronze medal in the men’s team event.  

Although Tiffany Chan and 16-year-old amateurs Sophie Han and Arianna Lau did not manage a podium finish for Hong Kong’s female team, they also produced some outstanding golf in finishing in seventh place in the women's team event.

“It’s a team effort,” said Kho, whose total of 27-under-par 261 (62-60-70-69) was one shot better than Korean PGA Tour player Im Sung-jae.

“I’m the one who came out with the gold this time but I’m sure in the future there will be others to come. I was looking at the team board all day. It was great seeing us come through as a team as we beat some great countries along the way,” added 22-year-old Kho, who has enjoyed a remarkable season as a rookie pro.

In March, Kho won the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club, becoming the first Hong Kong golfer to triumph on the Asian Tour. In July he became the first Hong Kong golfer to play in the Open Championship.

The performance of Kho and the Hong Kong Asian Games golf squad received widespread praise.

In a statement issued in the wake of the Asiad, the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China (GAHKC) said: “These wonderful achievements realised GAHKC’s objective of scaling new heights at this year’s Asian Games, and made Hong Kong people proud.

“The outstanding performance of Hong Kong golf in recent international tournaments is a testament to the hard work of our golf athletes as well as the full support of GAHKC and local golf clubs that contributed to the sport’s development over the years.

“GAHKC is proud of the Hong Kong golf team’s rapid growth and exceptional performance. To sustain this hard-earned ‘harvest period’ of Hong Kong golf, GAHKC believes that Hong Kong should provide more support to golf and offer young golfers more opportunities to compete on-course, instead of cutting back on already-scarce golf resources.

“We hope that the Hong Kong, China Asian Games golf team can inspire more young golfers to work towards their future of achieving success in international competitions, bringing glory to Hong Kong.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC) where Kho is a Club Ambassador.

“The Hong Kong Golf Club is thrilled to see the historic performances of Hong Kong golfers at the Asian Games, with Club Ambassador Taichi Kho claiming a gold medal and the men’s team taking bronze.

“We would like to extend our huge congratulations to Taichi and his team-mates, Matthew Cheung, Jason Hak and Terrence Ng, for their wonderful display and also to the women’s team, featuring Club Ambassador Tiffany Chan, Arianna Lau and Sophie Han, who finished the event in a highly credible seventh place.

“Hong Kong golfers are proving they can compete with the world’s best and we should all be very proud of our players’ accomplishments and the great strides golf in Hong Kong has made.

“We are taking Hong Kong golf to new heights with impressive results and achievements on the international stage.

“The Hong Kong Golf Club is fully committed to supporting the continued development and growing popularity of the sport, including the nurturing of future talents through junior programmes, and we will continue to provide our venues to the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China for the Hong Kong team’s training and tournament needs.”