Kho Looks to Create More Asian Games Medal Memories

Tokyo, Japan: Taichi Kho will draw on the memories of 2023 as he bids to defend his individual golfing gold medal at the 20th Asian Games.

It was three years ago that the Hong Kong, China standout pulled off a stunning success, defeating Korean PGA Tour stars Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae at Hangzhou Westlake International Golf & Country Club.

Kho’s was the first individual medal of any kind for Hong Kong, China in the history of Asian Games golf. And there was double delight when his final-round helped Hong Kong, China secure the team bronze on a combined 50-under, again the first medal of any kind for the SAR.

Now the 25-year-old is setting his sights on retaining his crown at the Kasugai Country Club’s East Course in Aichi Prefecture when the golfing element of the quadrennial Asiad takes place from September 30 to October 3.

Of his performance in 2023, Kho said: “I think that was probably, until then, the best golf I’d played. And it’s still the lowest 72-hole score I’ve ever posted [27-under-par 261].

“It set a benchmark for me. It set the level of the play that I want to aspire to. Unfortunately, it’s hard to do it each week but it definitely gives me good motivation to aspire to that level of golf.

“It’s still something that I hold very close to my heart and I think in terms of the actual golf, it really motivates me to get back to that level.”

Kho reflects fondly on that 2023 performance and the bonds forged with his team-mates Matthew Cheung, Jason Hak and Terrence Ng.

He said: “The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou is such an incredible memory from my golfing career so far.

“I remember spending a lot of time with the team. We were just hanging out every night, going to breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. We were playing cards at night and we were just having a lot of fun.

“I felt like that really encouraged all of us to be free when we played golf and we played golf from a place of fun and enjoyment. I ended up playing some of the best golf I ever had so it was a fantastic week and I have so many great memories.”

Also etched in his kind is the final putt that clinched medal glory.

He said: “My thought was to not hit it too hard so I don’t miss a tap in! After that one went in, I felt just pure excitement and couldn’t really believe it. it was really nice to celebrate with the whole team on that putting green.”

Meanwhile, Hak is looking forward to reuniting with Kho and Cheung in the three-man team this time around.

He said: “Hopefully this time we'll get the medal for the team and the individual. It doesn't matter if it's me, Matthew, or Taichi. We have a great team. When it comes to team events like this we have really full trust, 100 per cent trust in each other. This is our third time doing this so we're really looking forward to it.”

Given the success each member of the Hong Kong team has achieved this year, there’s cause for optimism.

Kho has to his credit a win on the Asian Tour (International Series Morocco) and a second in Japan (BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup). Hak has a win and a second in China (Hongyunlang·Nanjing Open and the Bangkok Classic). And Cheung enjoyed a career-best Asian Tour effort of tied second at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open.