Just one week after Filipino sports fans celebrated a sensational victory for one of their own on home soil, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho is hoping to create the same kind of atmosphere – and a similar successful title challenge – at the Link Hong Kong Open, which starts tomorrow.

Miguel Tabuena’s emphatic three-shot victory at International Series Philippines was played out in front of a partisan crowd at the Sta. Elena Golf Club. A 69 and three consecutive seven-under 65s set up a result that was good enough to see off a star-studded field including former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, plus fellow major champions Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.

A week later, and a strong field has gathered forthe Link Hong Kong Open, with major stars including Reed, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell joined by a host of LIV Golf stars and the cream of the Asian Tour.

Local hero Kho posted a T6 in the tournament last season, returning impressive rounds of 67-65-66-66 around the Hong Kong Golf Club Composite Course as Reed emerged victorious thanks largely to an incredible third round of 59.

Kho may not have been successful on that occasion. However, the Asian Games gold medal winner has tasted success at the course before. In 2023, he secured a historic triumph at the rain-shortened World City Championship, becoming the first ever Hong Kong winner on the Asian Tour.

Taichi Kho.

When asked about the inspiration of playing in front of a home crowd at Fanling, he said: “The home crowd definitely gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration to be my best self out there. I will play with a lot of pride and passion out there. And I definitely feel like it’s definitely to my advantage to have that home crowd. I feel very supported out there and I am very grateful for that.”

Tabuena’s knowledge of the Sta. Elena track was evident in the way he attacked the par fives over the weekend – with five eagles overall helping to secure an emotional victory.

Kho will hope for a similar home advantage to power boost his own game which has shown some encouraging signs this season.

On The International Series, his 2025 best results have been a T6 at International Series Macau presented by Wynn, and a T20 last time out at International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus. At the end of last season, he also finished runner-up in the LIV Golf Promotions event.
Elsewhere this year he has also managed a runner-up spot in the Mandiri Indonesia Open and two T4s – at the 41st Shinhan Donghae Open and the Kolon Korea Open.

When asked about adding course knowledge into the mix, the 24-year-old said: “I think in terms of preparation, I feel like I know the course pretty well now, so I guess the notes year on year are pretty similar. I just enjoy playing this course, so I went out for just over nine holes today, and I am looking forward to the pro am. So yes, I am really looking forward to getting a lot of welcome this week.”

As always, Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event is sure to draw large crowds, and Kho will be a focal point for many. But in this year’s edition of the tournament, there is everything to play for.

The champion will earn a place in the field on next year’s 154th Open Championship and the Masters, as well as vital International Series Rankings points with a place on the LIV Golf League at stake next year.

Taichi Kho.

Kho said: “Obviously it is a really special tournament, at my home club as well. As a kid it was always a dream to play in the Hong Kong Open. I remember watching so many players as a 10-year-old at Fanling. So to be able to actually plan it now is a dream come true. And hopefully I get inspired by just playing these events and trying to do well here. And hopefully I can inspire the next generation of golfers in Hong Kong to do the same.”

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.