Taichi Kho edges childhood hero Bubba Watson to claim emotional Morocco triumph
The Hong Kong trailblazer birdied the 18th to secure his maiden International Series crown and erase recent playoff heartbreak.
Paju, Korea - Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho added yet another spectacular feather to his cap on Sunday, outlasting his childhood idol Bubba Watson in a thrilling final-round duel to capture the $2 million International Series Morocco.
The 25-year-old Asian Tour standout carded a brilliant final-round display at Red Course, carding only his third bogey of the entire week before rolling in a clutch birdie on the par-five 18th to finish at 19-under par overall.
“Playing neck-and-neck with Bubba for five hours today was a dream come true, and the child inside me was jumping up and down,” said an emotional Kho, who secured a lucrative $360,000 winner’s cheque to vault to second in the Order of Merit standings.
The high-stakes battle concluded dramatically on the final hole when Watson, a two-time Masters champion, pulled his second shot into an LED screen from the fairway, opening the door for the young star to deliver his clinical closing blow.
The breakthrough victory comfortably erases Kho’s agonizing playoff loss on the Japan Golf Tour last week, providing immense momentum before the Asian Tour takes a summer recess ahead of September’s Yeangder Taiwan Open.