Hong Kong Open: local golfer Taichi Kho can be ‘a superstar’, says major winner Smith
- Open champion holds a share of the lead after day one, having birdied four of his last five holes
- But the Australian acknowledges the main draw for spectators in Fanling is home favourite Kho
Cameron Smith said Taichi Kho could “be a superstar” after the pair played together during the opening round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday.
Appearing in the tournament for the first time since 2014, Smith carded a seven-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead with Eugenio Chacarra at Hong Kong Golf Club.
Grouped with Hong Kong’s Kho and fellow major winner Patrick Reed, Smith made his charge late, birdieing four of his last five holes, but was well aware that the large crowd following the trio were mostly there to watch the home contender.
Despite a level-par 70, Kho drew two of the biggest cheers of the day, when he chipped in for birdie at nine, and drained a putt from all of 70 feet for another.
“I hit a shot in there and they give me a clap, but as soon as he hit a good shot it was a really big clap,” Smith said. “It [the crowd] was definitely for Taichi.
“He hits the ball a long way when he wants to as well, so that’s handy to have in the back pocket. But he’s still young. If he keeps improving the way he is, he’s gonna be a superstar.”
