The opening event of the 2026 TPGA Taiwan Tour season, the CHAU-SHI Series – Chang Wah Open, held its second round today (26th) at Hsin Yi Golf Club in Kaohsiung. Defending home player Su Chin-hung competed despite illness and fired nine birdies and one bogey for an 8-under 64. With a two-round total of 10-under 134, he moved into the lead. Thailand’s Warun Leamgaew also delivered an impressive round of nine birdies and two bogeys for a 65, while Hsieh Ting-wei posted a 68. Both players are tied for second at a two-round total of 136.
Li Jui-shen recorded the first hole-in-one of his career on Hole 3, holing out from 196 yards with a 7-iron. In addition to receiving the course prize of NT$20,000, he also earned sponsor prizes designated for the hole, including a pair of Fila shoes, a Caesar Bathroom flagship smart toilet (CA1392), and six bottles of Buffalo Trace commemorative whiskey. He also received a complimentary one-night stay in the Presidential Suite at Lishan Guest House provided by Da An Group, valid on both weekdays and weekends. Li shot a 70 today and moved up to a tie for 13th place at 141.
Lee Chieh-po carded a 68, while Chan Chia-han and Shapiyate Mako both shot 69. Hung Chien-yao posted a 72. The four players are tied for fourth place at a two-round total of 6-under 138.
Among the five amateur players in the field, Thailand’s Tantikorn Klinpeng shot a 69 today for a two-round total of 143, tying for 25th place and becoming the only amateur to advance to the final two rounds.
After two rounds, a total of 51 players, including one amateur, made the cut at 2-over-par 146 to advance to the final two rounds.
Leader Su Chin-hung started from Hole 10 today. His nine birdies included four par-5s and two par-3s. His driving, iron play, and putting were all solid. He birdied all four par-5s with a “two on, one putt” performance. His longest putt came on Hole 8, where he holed a 24-foot putt from just off the green. His most difficult putt was a downhill 9-footer on Hole 15 after reaching the green in two. All other birdie putts were within 12 feet. His only bogey came on his final hole, Hole 9, after a mishit approach.
He said his driving was well-controlled, hitting 12 fairways with only two misses. His iron play was precise, hitting 16 greens in regulation, and he needed just 26 putts to secure nine birdies.
After the round, he revealed that he had contracted norovirus while competing in an ADT event in Vietnam last week, suffering from fever and diarrhea upon returning to Taiwan. During yesterday’s opening round, he still felt weak in his legs and managed a 70, which he considered acceptable.
Today, he felt only about 50% recovered and set no specific goals, simply aiming to stay steady and avoid overthinking. “Maybe it was because I stayed relaxed and had the advantage of playing at home—I know which landing spots to avoid and which positions are easier to attack,” he said.
Hsieh Ting-wei recorded six birdies and two bogeys today. His driving and iron play were stable, hitting 12 fairways and 14 greens in regulation. Although his putting improved to 28 putts (compared to 31 yesterday), he remained dissatisfied. “I couldn’t read the lines or control the speed well. I missed all the 12–15 foot birdie chances and lost confidence as I kept putting.”
However, he still produced a highlight on the par-3 13th hole, where he holed out from a bunker for birdie. He also birdied the par-5 18th with a “two on, one putt” performance. He said he plans to stay patient over the final two rounds.
Warun Leamgaew of Thailand delivered exceptional putting today, leading the field with just 24 putts. His driving was steady, and his iron play was accurate, hitting 13 greens in regulation. All his birdie putts were within 12 feet. His nine birdies included three par-5s, including an easy birdie on Hole 15 with a “two on, one putt.” However, he made bogeys on Holes 12 and 17 due to three-putts. He ranked 19th in last year’s TPGA Order of Merit.
Chan Chia-han, who missed many birdie opportunities yesterday, adjusted his putting alignment today and showed improvement, recording one eagle, three birdies, and two bogeys. On the par-5 18th hole, he holed out from 10 yards for eagle. He also birdied two other par-5s, Holes 8 and 15, both with “two on, one putt,” and made an 11-foot birdie putt on Hole 11.
He said his iron play remained solid, hitting 16 greens in regulation, but his putting was still inconsistent. On the front nine alone, he missed at least seven birdie chances within 15 feet and finished with 30 putts.
Lee Chieh-po had five birdies and one bogey. His driving and iron play were decent, hitting 11 fairways and 15 greens, but his putting let him down, including a three-putt on Hole 18. He recorded 31 putts, four more than yesterday.
Shapiyate Mako had four birdies and one bogey, including birdies on the par-5 8th and 15th holes. His putting improved by five strokes compared to yesterday, with 26 putts, but his driving was inconsistent, hitting only eight fairways.
Hung Chien-yao, the first-round leader, teed off in the afternoon. He said stronger and shifting winds made conditions difficult, and challenging pin positions prevented his approach shots from finishing close to the hole. He recorded two birdies and two bogeys. He added that his overall ball striking was still decent, with 7 fairways, 9 greens, and 27 putts, slightly worse than yesterday.
The third round tomorrow will again feature a two-tee start from Holes 1 and 10. The first group will tee off at 6:30 a.m., and the final group at 7:50 a.m., with play expected to conclude around 1:00 p.m.
This tournament is the opening event of the 2026 TPGA Taiwan Tour season, featuring a total prize purse of NT$3 million, with NT$500,000 awarded to the champion. The event runs from March 25 to March 28 over four rounds (72 holes), with a field of 144 players, including 139 professionals from eight countries and five amateurs.
The tour is title-sponsored by Mr. Wong Chau-shi, Honorary Chairman of Mercuries Group. Chang Wah Group serves as the title sponsor for this event for the fifth consecutive year. The tournament is organized by TPGA and co-organized by Hsin Yi Golf Club, which also hosts the season-opening event for the fifth consecutive year.
Chang Wah Group, including Chang Wah Electromaterials Inc., Chang Wah Technology Co., Ltd., and E&R Engineering Corp., are all publicly listed companies. Chang Wah Electromaterials specializes in semiconductor packaging materials distribution, Chang Wah Technology manufactures lead frames, and E&R Engineering focuses on tape-based high-end flip-chip IC substrates.
Founded over 30 years ago, Chang Wah Group has long supported domestic sports and upholds the corporate value of giving back to society by leveraging its resources to promote golf, social welfare, and corporate social responsibility.
Since 2021, due to the pandemic’s impact on the number of events and total prize money on the Taiwan Tour, Mr. Wong Chau-shi has personally served as the title sponsor of the CHAU-SHI Series, funding six events annually with NT$2 million per event, totaling NT$12 million. This established a stable foundation for the tour. In recent years, the number of events has gradually increased, and this year the same sponsorship model continues, expanding to eight events.
The CHAU-SHI Series also features a special Order of Merit bonus. The top money winner across the eight events will receive an additional NT$250,000 bonus sponsored by Mr. Lin Guo-er, Chairman of HONLIN CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD, along with entry into the Mercuries Taiwan Masters the following year.
Hsin Yi Golf Club measures 7,459 yards for this tournament. While long hitters may have an advantage, precision in landing areas on fairways and greens is essential, and both putting and short game around the greens remain key challenges. The course has been meticulously prepared to optimal conditions for this opening event.
Special prizes for this tournament include:
Hole-in-One Awards:
Holes 3 and 6 (OUT), Holes 4 and 8 (IN; Holes 13 and 17) – NT$20,000 course prize.
Hole 3 – Fila shoes (1 pair), Caesar Bathroom flagship smart toilet CA1392 (1 unit), 6 bottles of Buffalo Trace commemorative whiskey.
Hole 6 – Junyi Hotel weekday twin stay (1 night), 12 bottles of Buffalo Trace commemorative whiskey, and one 10-liter barrel of Buffalo Trace whiskey.
Hole 13 – E-Da Skylark Hotel garden suite (1 night), V PLUS U3 three-layer golf balls (20 dozen), and 6 bottles of Buffalo Trace commemorative whiskey.
Hole 17 – 6 bottles of Pierce 17-year whiskey and 6 bottles of Buffalo Trace commemorative whiskey.
The above four holes feature sponsor prizes originally set by the course.
Additionally, on Hole 17, Tung Hui Watch Co. offers a Bell & Ross watch valued at NT$130,000. It will be awarded to the first professional player to make a hole-in-one during the official four rounds.
Unlimited hole – Da An Group provides a complimentary one-night stay in the Presidential Suite at Lishan Guest House, valid on both weekdays and weekends.
Course Record Bonus: NT$20,000 (course-sponsored), with the record of 63 currently held by amateur Chen Chi-chun.
Pai Wei Group & Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range provide free practice access for all participants during the tournament period (March 24–27).
During the final two rounds (March 27–28), the tournament will also provide free sports therapy services for players.
In response to global sustainability trends, TPGA has officially launched the “Green Swing Initiative” this year to promote environmental protection.
Single-use bottled water has been eliminated from the tournament. Instead, each player is provided with a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste at the source.
Spectators are allowed on the course during the tournament. A NT$30 insurance fee is required at the starter area to obtain a spectator pass. Spectators must walk along cart paths, as no shuttle service is provided between holes. For safety reasons, children under six years old and pets are not permitted on the course.
The final two rounds will be broadcast as highlight recordings on April 7 and April 8 at 4:00 p.m. Platforms include TPGA Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo Sports, LINE (Golfourit), TPGA official website, Videoland Sports, and Line Today.
