Taichi Kho heads into Amateur Championship confident of lessons from International Series – ‘I’ll handle it better’
- Kho is among 288 players who will tee-off in the first round of the Amateur Championship in England, with the top 64 golfers progressing to match play
- ‘It’s just about being creative with my shots, learning to try different things so when Monday comes I’m ready to go,’ the Hongkonger said
The 127th Amateur Championship begins in England on Monday, and for Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho it is another new experience in a month that has already been full of them.
Fresh off an up and down week at the Asian Tour’s second International Series event, where he finished in a tie for 25th competing alongside the likes of former US Open champion Graeme McDowell and the top players from the Asian Tour, Kho turns his attention to a different challenge altogether – links golf.
The wide open spaces of the Royal Lytham & St Annes course on the Lancashire coast will be Kho’s first taste of the game in that environment, and he has spent the past several days honing the skills he will need to play on firm fairways surrounded by deep wild rough, and in windy conditions.
“I’ve been trying to get a good feel for the different skill sets I’ll need to have this week,” Kho said. “I feel like I’ve been doing a good job mentally preparing for that.
“It’s just about being creative with my shots, learning to try different things so when Monday comes I’m ready to go.”
Those preparations have included plenty of time with coach Jonathan Wallet, who has worked with professionals on the European and LPGA tours, as well the Hong Kong national team.
Wallet will be Kho’s caddie this week in the north west of England for the tournament, which runs until Saturday and includes a combination of stroke play and match play.