26th March 2023 – (Hong Kong) The World City Championship, the seventh Asian Tour event on the 2023 calendar, is the first international professional golf tournament held at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, Hong Kong in more than three years. The 22-year-old local golfer Taichi Kho carded a level-par 70 to finish on 12 under, becoming the first Hong Kong golfer to win an Asian Tour event. Kho’s victory at the reduced 54-hole tournament held at the Hong Kong Golf Club on Sunday also secured him a spot at the Open Championship and a two-year exemption on the Tour. His consistent play throughout the tournament allowed him to maintain his lead, finishing two shots ahead of New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, who finished in second place with a score of 10 under. Travis Smyth from Australia finished in third place, nine under for the tournament.
Due to unpredictable weather conditions, the tournament schedule was reduced from four rounds of 72 holes to three rounds of 54 holes. Despite the changes, Kho maintained his position as the frontrunner throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung congratulated Hong Kong golf athlete Taichi Kho on being the first Hong Kong athlete who won a tournament on the Asian Tour.
Mr Yeung said, “Taichi Kho’s victory in the World City Championship on home ground, is a solid achievement of the Hong Kong golf sector’s efforts in nurturing of young athletes over the years. Taichi Kho has proved the strength of Hong Kong athletes with his extraordinary skills. We feel honoured and proud of him.