Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho races into contention at New Zealand Open, Hend and Griffin lead Asian Tour event
- Kho cards third successive round of 67 to move to 12-under-par, with double-bogey at 18 proving costly
- Scott Hend and Matthew Griffin move to 14 under, hold slender one-shot lead over chasing pack
Taichi Kho raced into contention at the New Zealand Open on Saturday, and only a double-bogey on 18 stopped him grabbing share of the lead.
The Hongkonger carded his third consecutive round of 67 at Millbrook Resort, moving to 12-under-par, two shots adrift of leaders Matthew Griffin and Scott Hend.
Kho was in control for most of the day and held the outright lead as he stood on the 18th tee, but he found water on the par-3, took a drop and needed three more shots to get in for a five.
“I was a little bit quick coming down the stretch,” said the Asian Tour’s rookie of the year. “I stepped into that last shot a bit too quick. I think I picked the right shot, using a wedge. I tried to kind of ride the wind but just pulled and drew it.”
The 23-year-old surged up the leaderboard following an aggressive front nine that saw him go out in four-under with birdies on three, four, six and eight, which put him one off the lead.
A bogey on the 10th was quickly dealt with when he made birdies on 11 and 12 and another on 14. A dropped shot on 16 was also appropriately handled with a birdie on the penultimate hole before his uncharacteristic error on 18.
“I played great today,” Kho said. “Hit the ball better, continued to putt well, the speed is getting better on my part. I did a lot of great things today but unfortunately sometimes you finish weak.
“It wasn’t my best finish today, but I think that will help me going into tomorrow. Just need to pace myself better down the stretch. Other than that it was a lot of positives.”
Kho is sitting in a tie for sixth alongside fellow Asian Tour player Ian Snyman from South Africa, who recorded a 65. Japan’s Kodai Ichihara (63) and Takahiro Hataji (66) and New Zealand’s Josh Geary (68) are in joint third, one behind the leaders.
Overnight leader Hend appeared out of it after going out in two over but produced a remarkable, roller coaster back nine featuring an eagle, four birdies and a double.
“If I’m in the last five, within the last five groups, I still think I can win,” said the 50-year-old, who is chasing his 11th victory on the Tour. “You know, you got a chance to win a tournament, you gotta be happy.”
