Accuracy is Koh's game. He is not the biggest of players, and concedes distance off the tee. His Australian victory was a relative surprise. He had never won a national title although he has claimed the Stewart Gold Cup at the Grange, the Auckland Anniversary prize at Akarana, and Tauranga's Omanu Classic. He was ranked in the New Zealand top 10 last year, has made the amateur semifinals twice and finished fourth in the New Zealand strokeplay.
With Manukau pro-shop employee Todd Mayson as his caddie, Koh stormed to the Aussie title, beating West Australian Curtis Luck 6 and 5 in the final.
"Hopefully I made some people back home proud which I think I did ... especially my mum and dad, my sister and mates," said Koh, talking to the Herald after shooting an opening 65 in the Lake Macquarie tournament at Newcastle.
His enthusiastic followers include the members at Manukau who have backed Koh and fellow prospects Nick Voke and Shiv Sabherwal.
Koh was six when his parents Seungwoo and Boksun Lee moved to New Zealand with Tae's sister Yujin. They lived near a golf course, his dad took up the game, and little Tae started off as his caddie.
"I didn't even know what golf was when I was in Korea," he says.
"I picked up a club when I was seven and a coach said I had some ability, I liked it, and kept on playing."
He is coached by the Takapuna-based Peter Kim, who guided Cecilia Cho when she was Lydia Ko's main junior rival. But Manukau is Koh's home and the club opted to support the trio of young golfers during their own upheavals. Grappling with a $3 million debt, Manukau took the major decision to sell the land and build a new course at Ardmore.
General manager Stewart Halligan estimates that via fundraising and direct donations, Voke, who plays at Iowa State, was backed by close to $20,000. Koh and Sabherwal's funding totals around half of that.
Koh's parents owned a sushi shop but now run a small cleaning business and Manukau's support was vital, especially funding trips to the US and Australia.
The money carried tough-love type conditions.
For instance, the youngsters have to pick up their own range balls, and take full part in coaching clinics for the rank and file.
"I've not seen another young person with the dedication Tae shows," says Halligan.
"I asked him if he realised how many New Zealanders had made it in golf overseas and he replied he wanted to be the exception to the rule. He's got an inner confidence ...
"Winning the Aussie amateur is a sensational result.
"When I rang his father he was in tears and said he couldn't thank Manukau enough for what they have done."
Koh plays down his reputation for long practice hours.
"I am very dedicated but I don't think it is about working huge hours. I'm a great believer that it is about working efficiently."
He revealed his new secret weapon: a bestselling book by Stephen R. Covey entitled Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Koh says: "There is a chapter about seeing the end before you start ... see it vividly, see it relentlessly.
"I was thinking about that all through the week at Adelaide. It was ridiculously hot and Todd helped me a lot, muscling through the week and keeping me calm. I'm grateful for the members' support at Manukau, and the staff there as well. They want me to go as far as I can."
