Gaganjeet Bhullar Finishes Strong at International Series Morocco; Taichi Kho Claims First Title

Bhullar's Performance at the International Series Morocco

In the USD 2 million International Series Morocco, Gaganjeet Bhullar achieved a score of 6-under par at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. He concluded the tournament tied for 31st place after finishing the final round with a par score. Despite making four birdies on the last day, his performance was marred by four bogeys.

Ajeetesh Sandhu and Karandeep Kochhar ended the tournament tied for 61st, with scores of 4-over and 5-over par, respectively, in the final round. Sandhu faced difficulties on the challenging course, recording four bogeys, while Kochhar also struggled, finishing with four bogeys and a double bogey, alongside a birdie on the third hole.

Kho's Historic Win

Taichi Kho, from Hong Kong, celebrated his first victory in an International Series event, showcasing remarkable consistency with only three bogeys over four days. The 25-year-old golfer, who made history by winning his country's first gold medal in golf at the Hangzhou Games in 2023, was four under par after 10 holes, having made five birdies.

Kho secured the lead but faced challenges in finding a sixth birdie until he achieved it on the crucial par-5 18th hole. Overnight leader Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, struggled with his second shot and could not recover, allowing Kho to finish with a total of 19-under par and claim the USD 360,000 prize. This victory elevates Kho to No. 2 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, trailing only Australia's Travis Smyth.

Kho Reflects on His Journey

"This year has been long and filled with challenges. I believe I have grown significantly as a person through these experiences. The effort I put in is more important than the results. Golf is unpredictable; it can be rewarding or punishing, and I feel fortunate to have had a positive turn recently. I am grateful for the game, my support system, and everyone who has contributed to my journey," Kho expressed emotionally after his win.

His victory also helped him move past the disappointment of losing in a playoff on the Japan Golf Tour the previous week.

Other Competitors' Results

The Thai golfers Suteepat Prateeptienchai (69) and Jazz Janewattananond (72) finished tied for third at 15-under par. Their final rounds could have been better, as Suteepat ended with a bogey-bogey finish, while Jazz dropped a shot on the last hole.

Australian Elvis Smylie, who previously won LIV Golf Riyadh this year, made an impressive comeback with six birdies in his last seven holes, finishing with a score of 66. He joined South Africa's Ian Snyman (67), Zimbabwe's Kieran Vincent (67), and Japan's Takanori Konishi (71) in a tie for fifth place at 14-under par.