Hong Kong star Taichi Kho flying high on home course

Hong Kong star Taichi Kho flying high on home course

Taichi Kho’s dream debut as a professional in an Asian Tour event at the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), his home course, continued today when he took the second round-lead in the US$1million World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The 22 year old brilliantly fired his second-successive six-under-par 64 to lead by two from Filipino Miguel Tabuena, the first-round leader, who shot 67, and winner of last week’s The DGC Open presented by Mastercard. 

New Zealand’s Michael Hendry is in third place, four behind Kho, after returning a 64. 

Kho, a member of the HKGC since January who was unveiled this week as their ambassador, is 12 under and now has an outstanding opportunity to become the first player from Hong Kong to win on the Asian Tour – which would be especially significant as this event is the first international golf tournament in Hong Kong, China for 38 months.

Notre Dame graduate Kho played flawless bogey-free golf making two birdies on the front before four more on the second half, including one on the famous par-four 18th.

“Yeah, just a really great round of golf and I putted really well today,” said Kho, whose father is from Hong Kong and mother Japanese.

“And you know like I said yesterday, I'm just gonna go out there and try my best on every shot and that's exactly what I did. And I was able to roll a few putts in and it added up to a total of 64, so very happy with the day.”

He graduated at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, in 24th place, made it through to the weekend in the two Tour events he played after that, and after another fine round today showed he is clearly revelling playing at this level. 

Although appearing outwardly very calm he admitted there have been plenty of nerves over the first two days.

He said: “Yeah, I mean, I felt it a little more today, but overall, I feel like I did a really good job of just kind of being in my own bubble and focusing on myself, and felt like it was just myself and the golf ball out there today. So yeah, I'm just gonna try and tap into that tomorrow.”

Tabuena, who led with a 63 yesterday, impressively recovered from a double bogey on his opening hole.

“It was great, I was proud of the way I fought,” said the 28 year old.

“I didn't get off to a good start, a bit of an errant drive again on the 11th hole [he started on the back nine], pulled it and had to take an unplayable. But told myself that there's a lot of holes left, there's two more days left, you know there's no need to panic or there's no need to be worried. You know you've been playing well and just got to keep patient and just trot along.”

The Filipino admits to not being far away from playing his best golf.

He added: “I believe I'm pretty close, like I said, I have a lot of confidence. But you also gotta learn how to control it right? Especially on this course you know, it's very easy to be overconfident. So, just gotta stick to my routine, stick to my game plan and I know that if I do that, I will have a shot on the back nine on Sunday.”

Korean Yoseop Seo returned a 64 and is solo fourth, five back from Kho.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (67) and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (68) are a further stroke back along with Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent (67).

Australia’s Wade Ormsby, winner of the International Series Thailand two weeks ago and a two-time Hong Kong Open champion at HKGC, shot a 70 and is one under. 

England’s Ian Poulter, the Hong Kong Open winner here in 2010, carded a 72 to finish on even par which was the cut mark.

The tournament also has the honour of being part of The Open Qualifying Series, with the leading four players not otherwise exempt earning a place in The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July.

[COVER PHOTO CREDIT: ASIAN TOUR]

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March 24, 2023 - By Asian Tour Press Release

Elvira retains lead in Bangalore

Elvira retains lead in Bangalore

Manuel Elvira will take a one-stroke lead into the weekend of the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge after posting a two under par second round of 70 at Karnataka Golf Association.

The Spaniard made the turn at level par before adding two birdies coming in to reach 11 under par, one clear of Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg who posted a six under 66 to move into second on ten under.

The 26-year-old remained patient throughout the afternoon in Bangalore but was disappointed not to extend his lead further after missing several birdie opportunities.

“It was a frustrating day,” he said. “I started with a birdie on one and then missed a lot of birdie chances after that. I made a couple of silly mistakes on the par fives where I hit it into the water on nine and the woods on 15. I stayed patient on the back nine and made birdie on the last which was pretty good.

“It’s hard to follow up such a low round yesterday and I was trying my best to keep it up. I stayed patient, gave myself as many birdie chances as I could and overall I’m happy with my round.”

Elvira set a new course record at Karnataka Golf Association with his first round 63, however he found scoring more difficult on day two due to the breezy afternoon conditions.

“There were a couple of tricky pins today and the wind switches quite a bit on this course which makes some shots difficult to judge,” he said. “On a few occasions I hit my tee shot downwind and then my approach shot was suddenly into the wind which was difficult and it takes some adjusting.

“Tomorrow I am going to stick to the same approach. I will hit sensible clubs off the tee and be aggressive where I can.”

Welshman Oliver Farr, Italian Stefano Mazzoli, England’s Ashley Chesters and Indian Aman Raj share third place on nine under par, while six players are a shot further back in seventh including Spaniard Victor Pastor, Scotland’s Liam Johnston and Indian Aryan Roopa Anand.

The cut fell at three under par with 69 players making it through to the weekend, including amateurs Arron Edwards-Hill and Robert Moran who received invitations through Sir Nick Faldo's Elite Tour.

The third round will get under way at 7:30am local time, with Elvira teeing it up in the final group alongside Karlberg and Raj at 9:30am.

[COVER PHOTO CREDIT: CHALLENGE TOUR]

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March 24, 2023 - By Dhruv Trivedi

A new 18-hole golf course to be planned 4.5 miles near the Augusta National Golf Club

A new 18-hole golf course to be planned 4.5 miles near the Augusta National Golf Club

The Cypress Shoals located 4.5 miles near the famed Augusta National Golf Club, will have two 18-hole golf courses from which one golf course is designed by the two-time Masters champion Tom Watson.

The Cypress Shoals is a 1,742 acres property which is located in North Augusta and it borders Savannah River and the Sumter National Forest.

Along with golf, the Cypress Shoals will have 200 resident lots, equestrian facilities, destination spa and wellness center and many more facilities which will make this place probably a favorites in the near future and especially during the 'week of the Masters’.

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March 24, 2023 - By Dhruv Trivedi

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