The Link Hong Kong Open 2024 is not just another stop on the golfing calendar. With a prize purse of US$2 million, the eighth leg of The International Series is a showcase of world-class competition and a proving ground for rising local talent.
This year, nine homegrown players will tee off at the Hong Kong Golf Club from November 21–24, each carrying the hopes of a city with a burgeoning golf scene.
Taichi Kho: Hong Kong’s Golden Boy
When it comes to Hong Kong golf, Taichi Kho is a name that needs little introduction. At just 24, Kho is already an Asian Games gold medalist and a winner of the World City Championship, held at the same venue last year.
Now a regular on the Asian Tour’s elevated events—each offering a pathway to the LIV Golf League—Kho returns to familiar greens with aspirations of making another big impact.
Kho isn’t alone in representing the local contingent. Four professional players and four of Hong Kong’s top amateurs are also taking part, all hoping that their knowledge of the course will provide an edge.
Michael Regan Wong: Doubling Down on Home Advantage
Among the professionals is Michael Regan Wong, a 27-year-old Trainee PGA Professional based at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
Wong earned his spot in the field through a nerve-wracking qualifier, sinking a decisive 12-foot putt on the 18th hole.
He credits his course familiarity and a secret weapon—his caddie, fellow HKGC pro Steven Lam—with giving him confidence.
“He’s a good player, too. So, with things like club selection, reading greens, even that extra 10% could be a great help,” Wong said.
For Wong, this tournament is more than just another event. A decade ago, he played in the same competition as a teenage amateur, describing the experience as being “like a kid in a candy shop.”
His recent participation in the SJM Macao Open, where he rubbed shoulders with Open champion Brian Harman and Australian star Min Woo Lee, has only sharpened his resolve.
“The whole week was great, just seeing some great players and being able to play amongst them and play – it is really just playing against the golf course, but then also seeing them there, it’s really cool,” Wong shared.
Leon D’Souza: Confidence at Home
Another professional to watch is Leon D’Souza, who qualified via his position on the Hong Kong PGA Order of Merit.
Brimming with confidence, D’Souza embraces the comforts of home as he gears up for a weekend on familiar turf.
“There’s no place like home and it’s nice to be back and playing on a course I’m familiar with and getting to see a lot of familiar faces.
It only happens once a year so I’m just looking forward to being somewhere I’m comfortable,” D’Souza expressed.
“I just tell myself that at the end of the day, my game is good enough to be here. So, it is good enough to contend in a tournament like this.
All the other players are trying to do the same thing, trying to do the best that they can do. That’s why we practice, and you tee it up and see how it goes on Thursday.”
D’Souza’s goals extend beyond the tournament, with dreams of earning full status on the Asian Tour.
“That’s my next goal – to get full status on the Asian Tour,” he shared. “If you have a good week this week, then that takes care of it.
I’m playing final stage (Q School) next month so we’ll see how that goes. But you can’t force anything.
You can’t think too far ahead. You just have to take it day by day, do the best that you can do, and see where that gets you.”
Rising Amateurs Eager to Make Their Mark
The local lineup at the Link Hong Kong Open 2024 is rounded out by a quartet of amateurs—Wang Ngai Shen, Isaac Lee, Alexander Yang, and Timothy Chan.
These lads are not just participating; they’re bringing their A-game, packed with unique talents and high hopes. Lining up alongside titans of the sport—three Major champions, luminaries of the LIV Golf League, and stalwarts of the Asian Tour—these young guns are keen to use their intimate knowledge of the home course to make a memorable impact in one of the sport’s most celebrated arenas.
The Link Hong Kong Open: A Launchpad for Dreams
The Link Hong Kong Open 2024 transcends the typical golf tournament. It’s a launchpad for dreams, part of The International Series that sets the stage for local talents to go toe-to-toe with the global elite.
This event isn’t just about swinging clubs and sinking putts; it’s a golden chance for Hong Kong’s finest to gain invaluable experience, pit their skills against the best in the business, and even chart a course toward the esteemed Asian Tour and the glamorous LIV Golf League.
As the event rolls out, the spotlight intensifies on Hong Kong’s promising stars. From Taichi Kho’s drive for back-to-back triumphs to Michael Regan Wong leveraging his home turf, and Leon D’Souza’s aspirations to rise through the ranks—each storyline adds a thrilling chapter to the tournament.
The Link Hong Kong Open 2024 is set to be a spectacle of golfing prowess and personal journeys, both on the fairways and beyond.
For more information about The International Series, visit www.internationalseries.com.
