Confidence in the team, equally split between the sexes, will be riding high as Taichi Kho, who won the gold medal at the last Games, will be teeing off with them in Nagoya from September 30 to October 3.
Kho made history when he claimed the gold medal in the individual golf section at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago. He also helped the men’s team reap the bronze medal.
His haul marked the first ever golf medals to be won by the Hong Kong, China team at the Asian Games.
The 25-year-old, who is preparing for this year’s Games with his teammates, said he hoped to keep up the momentum after recently capturing his second career Asian Tour title in Morocco.
“It’s a great confidence booster just knowing that I’m working on the right things, knowing that I can play the level of golf that I aspire to play at.”
“I don’t really feel too much expectations or the pressure. I think, if anything, that kind of helps me zone in a little bit. I’m just looking forward to playing with my teammates again and playing for Tim and Martin, the captain,” Kho said.
Asked about his expectations for the men’s team performance, Kho expressed confidence.
“I think we all know what we’re capable of. Individually, we’ve all had really strong performances in the last 12 months. I know if we string it together as a team, we can take on [golfers from other places].
“Maybe we’re not looking for particular results because I feel like that can get in the way of the process sometimes, but we have the confidence that we can achieve great things together.”
The golf competition will take place at the Aichi Country Club Higashiyama Course.
“Golf in Japan is unique. The grass is different, the weather can get pretty moody over there sometimes. Overall, I think the golf courses there value accuracy as opposed to length,” Kho said.
“I think it’s important to be sharp with your shorter irons and just be a good putter out there. So the challenges there are unique and I think the quicker we can adapt, the better we can play.”
