Taichi Kho channeled his confidence and inner child as he held off Bubba Watson for the biggest win of his career on Sunday at the Moroccan International Series.
The Hongkonger birdied the 72nd hole at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to finish 19-under-par to secure a convincing one-shot victory over the two-time Masters champion, who was one of his childhood heroes.
Two Thai players, Suteepat Prateeptienchai and Jazz Janewattananond finished in a tie for third at 15 under, while Australian Elvis Smylie, winner of LIV Golf Riyadh earlier this year, Ian Snyman, Kieran Vincent and Takanori Konishi shared fifth place further back.
Already in the history books as the first golfer from the city to win on Tour after his World City Championship victory in 2023, and the first to take Asian Games gold, Kho said his latest victory came after a year of “a bit of trouble and stress”.
Before this weekend, the 25-year-old’s best finish on Tour this season was a tie for 13th at the Kolon Korea Open last month, although a week ago he finished second on the Japan Tour after losing in a playoff.
“Golf is a funny game,” Kho said. “It gives and it takes, and I was very lucky the last couple of weeks to be on the good side of the game. I have a lot of gratitude towards the game itself, the people around me, the people who make it happen.”
