HONG KONG, 15 Aug 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - As the leading local player, Kho will also experience the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions in Shanghai later this year, courtesy of the Hong Kong Golf Association’s Exclusive Banking Partner, HSBC.
Earlier, the 15-year-old had held his nerve on the 54th and final hole of regulation play, sinking a four-foot par putt to shoot a brilliant two-under 68 and finish tied with Ryota Nakao of Japan on 212. Kho’s compatriot Lou Tan was also in the mix, having stormed up the leaderboard with a final-round 67 on the New Course, but ultimately he fell one short on 213.
The pair of Kho and Nakao could not be separated over the first two play-off holes but the Hong Kong national team player needed only a tap-in putt for par on the third extra hole to win his first Hong Kong Junior Open title. In doing so, he topped a record field that featured 105 junior golfers, 40 of whom were from overseas. The 46th edition of the championship also featured on the World Amateur Golf Rankings for the first time.
“This week has been amazing – not just winning but meeting so many players from different countries and making new friends,” said Kho. “I was proud of the way I parred the last two holes and then kept my focus in the play off.”
“I can’t wait to go to the HSBC Champions,” added Kho. “I heard from Leon [D’Souza, last year’s champion] that it was an awesome experience so I’m going to make the most of every minute!”
Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee, 14, was crowned girls’ champion, finishing with a one-over 73 for a three-round total of 220. Virginie Ding was Hong Kong’s leading girl, finishing in a three-way tie for second on 225.
The leading local girl in the 15-17 age division was Queenie Lai, so she will join Kho for the final two days of the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 29 and 30. There they will get an inside-the-ropes look at how a World Golf Championship event is staged and be treated to a coaching clinic with one of the world’s top golfers.
On the Monday following the final round they will then have the opportunity to play on the tournament course in a match against their peers from the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Programme. The HKGA team won the inaugural edition of the match in 2015.
Leading final scores:
Overall boys: 212 – Ryota Nakao (JPN) 75 70 67, Taichi Kho (HKG) 71 73 68; 213 – Lou Tan (HKG) 72-74-67; 216 – Aticom Sookvaree (THA) 76-70-70, Varuth Khachonkittisakul (THA) 73-71-72; 217 – Warut Wongrungroj (THA) 72-76-69; 218 – Thitipat Lem (THA) 72-71-75; 219 – Isaac Lam (HKG) 78 73 68. Overall girls: 220 – Kan Bunnabodee (THA) 73-74-73; 225 – Jiye Ham (THA) 72-83-70, Virginie Ding (HKG) 74-78-73, Chou Tzu-Yu (TPE) 75-72-78; 227 – Chou Yi-Ting (TPE) 74-78-75; 229 – Queenie Lai Ying-Tung (HKG) 75-75-79; 232 – Panchalika Arphamongkol (THA) 76-78-78; 234 – Watchaneeporn Khiawsang (THA) 82-76-76.
