HONG KONG, 20 Aug 2018, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Kho topped a field that featured 81 junior golfers, 24 of whom were from overseas. The 2018 edition of the championship also featured on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The leading HK teenage golfer shot an impressive 65 in the final round on his home course. Vietnam’s Nguyen Bao Long was 6 shots behind and finished 2nd overall with 215. India’s Kartik Sharma was at the 3rd place with a total of 217.
“It feels good to win this tournament for the second time. This time is more meaningful because this is my last junior tournament here. It feels great to close out on my home course. The weather was challenging. We have to adapt to different condition on each day. It was a really good test of golf. It was very hot at some time. It’s not often to come across this course with different climate every day. It was nice to play with players internationally. I will be off to University in three days. It’s pretty scary, but I’m also pretty excited. I want to thank the HKGA for all the support in the past 10 years. Also, thanks to my coach Mark,” said Kho, who will play for the University of Norte Dame in the U.S. after the summer.
China’s Jienli Li was crowned girls’ champion, finishing with a final round 72 for a total of 226. “This is the first time I play in HK, so this is a very nice experience. Thanks to the organiser, tournament committee and hospitality. I am happy to win this tournament. I have just back from the U.S., so the win proves my ability to play golf. It was fun to play three rounds with three different conditions. I like to play in the rain, but only the winds caused me a lot of trouble. I think the Diamond 1st was the hardest hole throughout the week. The fairway is so narrow, and it’s hard to put the ball in play. We couldn’t see the green most of the time when we played the second shot. I had a 24-yard putt today, and I didn’t think it would get in, but it just did! It was very memorable,” said the overall girls champion.
Hong Kong’s Stephanie Wong (237) and Inida’s Hitaashee Bakshi (238) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The younger age group (7-10) of the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship took place at Hong Kong Golf Club Deepwater Bay on 13 August. Lisle Kwon claimed the Boy’s 9-10 division with 64, while Arianna Lau won the Girl’s same age group with an impressive 61. Darren Zhou and Charlotte Tam claimed the Boy’s and Girl’s 7-8 division with 65 and 83 respectively.
Leading final scores:
Overall boys:
209 – Taichi Kho (HKG) 70-74-65; 215 – Nguyen Bao Long (VIE) 74-68-73; 217 – Kartik Sharma (IND) 70-76-71; 218 – Shuhit Bishnoi (IND) 74-78-66, Andre Chong (SGN) 73-75-70.
Overall girls:
226 – Jieni Li (CHI) 74-80-72; 233 – Stephanie Wong (HKG) 73-79-81; 237 – Hitaashee Bakshi (IND) 73-85-79; 238 – Inara
Sharma (HKG) 76-88-74; 239 – Chloe Chan (HKG) 76-80-83.
