Asian Tour Yearbook: 2023

WOR LD C I T Y CHAMP IONSH I P PR E SEN T ED BY HONG KONG GOL F CLUB H ON G KON G GO L F C L U B | MA R C H 2 3 - 2 6 , 2 0 2 3 | P R I Z E MON E Y U S $ 1 M I L L I ON HOMETOWN HERO KHO SPARKS EUPHORIC SCENES HISTORIC WIN FOR ROOKIE HONG KONG PRO Victory for Taichi Kho (RIGHT AND FAR RIGHT) came in only his third appearance as a professional on the Asian Tour. A s many hundreds of professional golfers can attest, performing in front of family, friends and expectant local galleries can be a double-edged sword. History informs us that the majority find the attention, the hype and the sheer weight of expectation too great a burden to bear. Placed out of their comfort zone, they wilt under the pressure. There are, however, a few exceptions to the rule – individuals who are inspired to rise to the challenge, hungrily feeding off the energy provided by hometown fans and comfortable in the glare of the spotlight. With his emotional and historic victory in the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club, Taichi Kho duly announced his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the professional game. It was, by any measure, a memorable week at one of the world’s iconic golfing venues, culminating in euphoric scenes across the fabled Fanling grounds as Hong Kong hailed its first Asian Tour champion at an event which marked the return of international tournament golf to the Special Administrative Region of China for the first time in 38 months. In only his third event as a professional on the Asian Tour, Kho defied his lack of top-level experience to eke out a win for the ages in an event reduced to 54 holes following lengthy lightning and rain disruptions on Saturday. It was not only Kho’s outstanding golf that impressed, but also the manner in which he conducted himself, maintaining his composure throughout, speaking with eloquence and acting with humility. “Being at home, in front of everyone, having my parents here, it means the world to me. Thank you to everyone,” said Kho, whose 12-under 198 aggregate was made up of brilliant back-to-back 64s on the Composite Course on Thursday and Friday followed by a gutsy closing 70, holding off the challenges of New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, Australian Travis Smyth and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. “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 is very special. The fans gave me 62