A few weeks ago Japanese star Keita Nakajima was in the headlines after he narrowly failed to successfully defend his Hero Indian Open title. His time is most definitely coming as he continues to make giant strides forward and when you think of him it’s hard not to think of another of the region’s great hopes for the future, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho.

The careers of the two 24 year olds have been rising in tandem and in many respects were launched at the 2021 Asian Amateur Championship – where the two fought a memorable head-to-head battle. Kho was defeated by his Japanese counterpart in a sudden-death play-off at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club but despite that it remains a standout moment in his fledgling career.

Kho’s journey so far has now been documented in the Asian Tour’s latest Time to Rise video, in partnership with Rolex. It has been launched today and provides a fascinating insight into what’s behind the Hong Kong star’s rapid rise to the top.

There have been many highs for Kho in a short space of time, not least winning the gold medal in the individual section at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games – which was staged in 2023 due to COVID-19 and saw him succeed none other than Nakajima, who won in 2018.

In the aptly titled Time To Rise video, Kho reveals important aspects of his approach to the game – particularly on the mental side – that have helped him achieve success so quickly.

He explains: “I would say golf is so challenging because the harder you try the worse you get, no matter how much you want something.

“I feel like the more you force it, the more you push it away. So, it is really important to be in the right frame of mind when you play golf.”

Since turning professional, just over two years ago, following a fine amateur career during which he attended the distinguished University of Notre Dame, Kho has most certainly been in the right frame of mind.

In just his third start after graduating from the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of 2023, he won the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club. It was one of the finest moments in the SAR’s sporting history, which he added to later in the year at the Asian Games – where he also helped Hong Kong secure the bronze medal in the team competition.

Victor Kho, father of Taichi Kho, hugs his son after he wins the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He became the first Hong Kong player to win on the Asian Tour and win gold at the Asian Games and while his strength comes from his athleticism and textbook swing, it is clear from the video that it his mind that is stronger.

“I think a lot of the time people get obsessive over their swing, or their stats, or what they are doing well or what they are not doing well,” explains Kho.

“But at the end of the day golf is such an organic game in a sense that there is no one right way to play golf well. So, to go out there and be in the right frame of mind and to be able to access your best stuff when it what really counts out here on Tour level that’s definitely a challenge that you don’t see in other physical sports. It is something that I really enjoy and something that really challenges me.”

A joint runner-up finish in the Volvo China Open toward the end of 2023 and six other top-10 finishes since claiming the World City Championship have seen him on the cusp of a second win.

In the video, Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, says: “Taichi goes about things in the right way. He prepares himself mentally, physically, gets the right advice, trains hard, practices hard.  He has all the tools to be a world-class player.”

Taichi with his Asian Games gold medal. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Dom Boulet, former Tour player now considered to be the voice of the Asian Tour as part of the broadcast commentary team, adds: “I think mentally he is as strong as anyone out here on Tour. He seems to learn quickly. He doesn’t get down on himself when he doesn’t perform.”

Kho also talks about his back injury which meant he could not play for two months in the second half of last year.

“The injury was unexpected, and we were not entirely sure what caused it. I got to the point where I could not swing or even walk properly. I have never been injured in my life before, so it was quite a wake-up call for me,” he says.

“It was a wake-up call for me that I can’t take my body or my health for granted. So going into 2025 I feel like I am more well equipped to manage my time away from the game better. I know how to listen to my body when I need to.”

Taichi Kho being more equipped is most certainly a wake-up call for everyone else as well.