Taichi Kho Clinches International Series Morocco Title In Rabat After Stellar 19-Under Week

Taichi Kho of Hong Kong won the International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco. The US$2 million event ended at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. With his maiden title on the IS circuit, Kho closed on 19-under par and claimed the US$360,000 top prize.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar signed off with a level-par fourth round and finished T31 on 6-under. Bhullar made four birdies on the final day. Four bogeys cancelled the gains. Ajeetesh Sandhu and Karandeep Kochhar ended T61 after difficult final rounds on the same course.

Kho had only three bogeys across four rounds. The 25-year-old was 4-under through 10 holes with five birdies. Kho then searched for a key sixth birdie. It arrived on the par-5 18th hole. Overnight leader Bubba Watson shot 70 and finished behind.

Watson drew level with Kho after a bunker birdie on the 17th hole. Watson then pulled a fairway second shot towards the LED screen. Watson could not get up-and-down from there. Kho’s victory lifted Kho to No. 2 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Sandhu made four bogeys in the last round and finished 4-over for the day. Kochhar had four bogeys and a double bogey. Kochhar also birdied the third hole. Bhullar, Sandhu, and Kochhar finishes are listed below in a results table for clarity.

Indians at IS-Morocco

"It’s been a long year. It’s had a lot of hardships and a bit of adversity. Through it all, I think I really grew as a person. I realised the work I put in surpasses any results," said Kho.

"Golf’s a funny game. It really gives and takes, and I was very fortunate the last couple of weeks to be on the good side of it. I just have a lot of gratitude towards the game itself, the people around me, the people who make it possible."

Kho’s win followed a playoff loss on the Japan Golf Tour the previous week. Kho also made history at the Hangzhou Games in 2023. Kho won Hong Kong’s first-ever golf gold medal there. Behind Kho, Suteepat Prateeptienchai (69) and Jazz Janewattananond (72) tied third at 15-under.

Elvis Smylie made a late run with six birdies in the last seven holes. Smylie signed for a 66 and tied fifth at 14-under. Ian Snyman (67), Kieran Vincent (67), and Takanori Konishi (71) shared the same spot. The Asian Tour now pauses, before the Yeangder Taiwan Open in September.