香港哥爾夫球會呈獻「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」 本地球員許龍一獨領群雄 強勢打入週末賽程
Hong Kong star Taichi Kho flying high on home course
[香港，2023年3月24日] 由香港哥爾夫球會呈獻的「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」今日進入第二輪比賽，首輪比賽並列第二位的本地球手許龍一今日沉著應戰，創造出完美的一輪，次輪打出低標準桿6桿的64桿獨領榜首位置，為週末賽事打下一支強心針。
許龍一開局平穩，默默地把低桿數收進囊中，前9洞分別在3號與7號洞收穫兩隻小鳥，後9洞更抓到4隻小鳥，全程零失誤。最後在18號洞攻上果嶺在旗桿大概3碼距離順利推進小鳥，為他本輪成績畫上完美句號！
兩輪以低標準桿12桿的128桿首名晉級明後兩天決賽的許龍一表示：「在整輪賽事中，我都比賽心無旁騖，我的眼中只有場上的小白球，雖然今日入場支持的球迷特別多，但我也能全神貫注地處理粉嶺複合球場的所有挑戰，並能夠冷靜地控制擊球策略，就像自己活在一個不受幹擾的氣泡之中。另外就是今天的推桿特別稱心，都能順利把球送到洞杯之中。」
首輪賽事領先的菲律賓球員塔布埃納（Miguel Tabuena）早上開局第一洞就遇上考驗，打出一個雙柏忌（+2），但沒多久他就平復心情，繼續搶分，賽後他表示雖然開局的過失讓球落在一個不能擊球的球位（unplayable lie）而罰桿，但他跟自己說往後還有很多個洞去平反回來，結果憑著心情的調整，最終以67桿（-3）完成球局，一度佔據榜首。但最終被後來居上的許龍一反超前，目前排名第二， 總成績與許龍一只有兩桿之差。
香港球手當中除了許龍一獨領群雄外，另外還有三名球員，包括張雄熙、伍城鋒和吳所謂都能成功晉級。
張雄熙昨天表現雖然未如理想，但今天一開局已經連續兩個小鳥進賬，抵消了昨天的缺失，可惜第3洞下水，補回來也只能用柏忌完洞。 賽後他表示雖然第3洞下水，救回來一個柏忌也是能接受的結果，整體前9洞還是比較滿意的，全日共拿下6個小鳥，兩個柏忌，單輪66桿（-4）完賽，以並列24打入週末的賽程。
本地職業球員伍城鋒在第二輪賽事過程中一直壓著晉級線上下浮動， 甚至在最後一個洞上演驚險的一幕，他在18號洞開球亮麗，留下一個很好的位置去攻果嶺，第二桿準備直攻洞口附近的時候，可惜打到左方的果嶺裙邊然後往外滾到一個極難處理的斜坡上，後來他定下心情集中注意力切回果嶺接近旗桿一碼半順利保帕（PAR），同時也保住晉級週末賽事的資格。
本地業餘球手吳所謂以總成績低標準桿1桿順利晉級，賽後他表示：「今天在一眾職業球員中能爭取到晉級感覺很開心，很幸運這週我的好朋友能夠擔當球僮，他給我很好的建議，讓我能專注打比賽。今次能夠參加國際大型賽事，我特別感恩香港高爾夫球總會給予的機會，以及香港哥爾夫球會籌辦這個賽事。」
昨天受到風勢影響擊球距離預測的內地業餘球員丁文一今天表現卓越，雖然在最後18洞打出柏忌，但依然交出優秀的66桿（-4）成績，暫列14位，全場6鳥2柏忌，兩天以低於標準桿4桿晉級週末賽事。 最近有鍛煉體能的丁文一暫時還沒適應自己新爆發的距離，因為連續5周沒有參賽，今天一直要從新體會自己距離的增長。
今日賽事共錄得逾3,700名觀眾入場欣賞世界級高爾夫球競技，以及參與「粉嶺同樂谷」的各種適合一家大細的娛樂活動，包括高爾夫球體驗、現場音樂表演、國際美食佳餚，以及STEAM兒童及親子活動等。明天於舊場1號洞更會舉辦經典汽車展，定必成為車迷的打卡熱點。
香港哥爾夫球會呈獻「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」榮獲大型體育事務委員會頒發成為「M」品牌認可活動，標誌著這是集合緊張、精彩和刺激的大型體育活動。這項盛事將協助提升香港作為亞洲體育盛事之都的形象。
Taichi Kho’s dream debut as a professional in an Asian Tour event at the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), his home course, continued today when he took the second round-lead in the US$1million World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club.
The 22 year old brilliantly fired his second-successive six-under-par 64 to lead by two from Filipino Miguel Tabuena, the first-round leader, who shot 67, and winner of last week’s The DGC Open presented by Mastercard.
New Zealand’s Michael Hendry is in third place, four behind Kho, after returning a 64.
Kho, a member of the HKGC since January who was unveiled this week as their ambassador, is 12 under and now has an outstanding opportunity to become the first player from Hong Kong to win on the Asian Tour – which would be especially significant as this event is the first international golf tournament in Hong Kong, China for 38 months.
Notre Dame graduate Kho played flawless bogey-free golf making two birdies on the front before four more on the second half, including one on the famous par-four 18th.
“Yeah, just a really great round of golf and I putted really well today,” said Kho, whose father is from Hong Kong and mother Japanese.
“And you know like I said yesterday, I’m just gonna go out there and try my best on every shot and that’s exactly what I did. And I was able to roll a few putts in and it added up to a total of 64, so very happy with the day.”
He graduated at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, in 24th place, made it through to the weekend in the two Tour events he played after that, and after another fine round today showed he is clearly revelling playing at this level.
Although appearing outwardly very calm he admitted there have been plenty of nerves over the first two days.
He said: “Yeah, I mean, I felt it a little more today, but overall, I feel like I did a really good job of just kind of being in my own bubble and focusing on myself, and felt like it was just myself and the golf ball out there today. So yeah, I’m just gonna try and tap into that tomorrow.”
Tabuena, who led with a 63 yesterday, impressively recovered from a double bogey on his opening hole.
“It was great, I was proud of the way I fought,” said the 28 year old.
“I didn’t get off to a good start, a bit of an errant drive again on the 11th hole [he started on the back nine], pulled it and had to take an unplayable. But told myself that there’s a lot of holes left, there’s two more days left, you know there’s no need to panic or there’s no need to be worried. You know you’ve been playing well and just got to keep patient and just trot along.”
The Filipino admits to not being far away from playing his best golf.
He added: “I believe I’m pretty close, like I said, I have a lot of confidence. But you also gotta learn how to control it right? Especially on this course you know, it’s very easy to be overconfident. So, just gotta stick to my routine, stick to my game plan and I know that if I do that, I will have a shot on the back nine on Sunday.”
Korean Yoseop Seo returned a 64 and is solo fourth, five back from Kho.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (67) and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (68) are a further stroke back along with Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent (67).
Australia’s Wade Ormsby, winner of the International Series Thailand two weeks ago and a two-time Hong Kong Open champion at HKGC, shot a 70 and is one under.
England’s Ian Poulter, the Hong Kong Open winner here in 2010, carded a 72 to finish on even par which was the cut mark.
The tournament also has the honour of being part of The Open Qualifying Series, with the leading four players not otherwise exempt earning a place in The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July.
Information and Photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / World City Championship
