Taichi Kho kept his nerve and his inner-child in check as he held off a late charge from Bubba Watson to claim the biggest win of his career on Sunday at the International Series Morocco.
The Hongkonger birdied the 72nd hole at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to finish on 19-under-par and secure a stunning one-shot victory over the two-time Masters champion, who was one of his childhood heroes.
Thai duo 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 a stroke further back.
Already in the history books as the first golfer from the city to win on the Tour after his World City Championship triumph in 2023, and the first to take home Asian Games gold, Kho said his latest victory had come after a year of “hardships and a bit of adversity”.
Before this weekend, the 25-year-old’s best finish on the Tour this season was a tie for 13th at last month’s Kolon Korea Open, although a week ago he finished second on the Japan Golf Tour after losing in a play-off.
“Golf’s a funny game,” Kho said. “It really gives and takes, and I was very fortunate the last couple of weeks to be on the good side of it. I just have a lot of gratitude towards the game itself, the people around me, the people who make it possible.”