Hong Kong's home favourite Taichi Kho is hoping to build on the strong showing by local players at the Link Hong Kong Open 2026, while former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen is working his way back into competitive form after months away from the game as the tournament teed off at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on Thursday (Oct. 22).
Kho eyes home glory, Oosthuizen battles back from injury
"I think this is a really cool day for HK golf," said Kho, who described his performance on the opening day as satisfactory despite struggling to find his rhythm at certain stages of his round.
"I didn't panic. I just stuck with it and hung in there. I just played my game," he said.
The HK golfer said he was encouraged by the performance of his local counterparts, several of whom were also challenging near the top of the leaderboard.
"I'm super excited for them and hopefully I get to join them in the next few days," he said.
For Kho, the tournament carries significance beyond the competition itself. Having attended the event as a child to watch professional golfers, he hopes the next generation of HK players will draw similar inspiration from watching the professionals compete on home soil.
"I think this is the staple of the golfing event in HK, and I came here when I was a kid, watching a lot of pros play," he said. "Hopefully a lot more kids can come in ... and they watch myself or the other HK boys play really well and get inspired and think they can do it as well."
Kho also highlighted the historical significance of Fanling, one of the world's rare venues to have hosted the same professional tournament repeatedly over such an extended period.
"There's a lot of iconic history about this place," he said, adding that he was pleased to see local golfers continuing to improve.
South African star Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, was meanwhile focused on regaining his competitive sharpness after an extended spell on the sidelines.
"I'm a bit all over the place. That's very rusty," he said of his opening-day performance. Although he finished reasonably well, he admitted that his putting had alternately rescued and let him down during the round.
"Just very rusty, but just glad to be back and playing golf," he said.
Oosthuizen said the biggest challenge in returning to competition was rebuilding the physical conditioning and consistency required to complete four rounds. He had not played a full round of golf for months and had done relatively little practice in the meantime.
"I've just been hitting a few golf balls, not a lot," he said. "It's just getting my body ready again, getting used to hitting lots of golf shots."
International stars return to historic Fanling
The tournament, running from Oct. 22 to 25, features a strong international field, including Kho, Oosthuizen, two-time Asian Tour winner Travis Smyth, world-class player Anthony Kim, South African major contender Branden Grace, 14-time tour winner Dean Burmester, American Harold Varner III and 2023 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Andy Ogletree.
The event is also welcoming back Kipp Popert, the 28-year-old British golfer ranked world No. 1 in disability golf. Returning for his second appearance after making history with his debut in 2024, Popert embodies the tournament's "Open for All" vision, which seeks to make golf more inclusive and accessible.
Beyond the competition, organizers are also seeking to introduce the sport to a wider audience through activities at the Fan Village, located near the first tee.
Open to the public free of charge on Thursday and Friday, the tournament offers visitors an opportunity to experience golf beyond the ropes. The Fan Village features interactive activities, including golf-ball painting, putting challenges and a Zig Zag Golf balance game, alongside golf-themed installations for photographs.
Fan village brings golf closer to the public
Victoria, a British resident who has lived in HK for 15 years and is taking part in the tournament for the third time, said the hands-on activities had attracted an unexpectedly diverse crowd.
The golf-ball painting activity, primarily designed for children, allows participants to decorate balls with child-friendly acrylic paints, creating their own animals and designs. About 50 people had taken part within the first two hours of the event, she said.
"I was quite surprised, especially as today is only the first day," Victoria said, describing the tournament as fun and suitable for the whole family.
Two Scottish visitors also found themselves drawn to the tournament while in HK for other reasons.
Ian McMillan, who was visiting on a business trip, said he had come across the event by chance and decided to watch his first tournament at Fanling. He has been following players including Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieters.
McMillan praised the course's natural surroundings and the standard of play, while noting that watching golf in person offered a different experience from following it on television.
"It's very easy to lose sight of the ball, especially in the sunshine," he said. "Sitting on the sofa watching it is obviously enjoyable, but watching it live is equally enjoyable."
He also felt that the course appeared relatively manageable even for professional players, suggesting that it could be made more challenging.
Craig Thomson, another Scottish visitor who discovered the tournament while travelling in HK, said he had played golf for at least 40 years but was visiting Fanling for the first time.
Thomson praised the condition of the course, particularly its lush fairways and well-maintained greens. He was surprised, however, by the relatively limited rough, which he said often presents a significant challenge at courses where he normally plays.
For Thomson, one of golf's greatest pleasures comes after the final putt.
"I like the 19th hole best—having a drink after playing golf," he said.
With elite international players, a returning major champion and local golfers seeking to make their mark, the opening day offered more than a contest for the leaderboard. Through its public activities and inclusive approach, the Hong Kong Open is also providing an opportunity for newcomers, families and international visitors to discover the sport at one of its most historic venues.
The tournament continues through Sunday, Oct. 25, with free public admission on the first two days.
(Reported by Zoey SUN, Felicia LI)
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