2024 ThreeBond Cheng Guan Yuan Challenge Tour
Round 1 Press Conference
2024/4/24
The 2024 ThreeBond TPGA Challenge Tour's second stage, the Cheng Guan Yuan Challenge Tour, commenced today (April 24th) at the Hsin Yi Golf Course in Kaohsiung. Tseng Hong Sheng seized the lead with an outstanding performance, scoring a remarkable 65 strokes, seven strokes below par, without a bogey. Tseng's stellar performance earned him the daily lowest score prize of NT$15,000, securing a three-stroke lead heading into tomorrow's final round. Local players Liu Tse-Sen, Huang Wei Hao, Peng Hung-Ching, Hsiao He Yu, and Chen Po Hao, all scored 68, sharing the second spot temporarily.
Lin Yi-Yuan scored 69, along with Hao Yang and Chang Chien Ko Yen, currently standing at seventh place, trailing by four strokes, as they aim for a title defense tomorrow.
Tseng Hong Sheng's exceptional performance today, with seven birdies and no bogeys, marks his best performance in recent years. His iron play was exceptional, as he hit all greens in regulation, achieving a personal best record. Tseng's strong start included five birdies in the front nine, including a spectacular birdie on the par-5 8th hole, where he nearly hit out of bounds but recovered impressively, sinking a birdie putt from 2 feet away. He continued his momentum with two more birdies in the back nine.
Tseng attributed his success to his precise iron play and solid putting, noting that his recent focus on mental preparation and relaxation has contributed to his improved performance.
Huang Wei Hao also displayed an impressive performance with four birdies and one bogey, showcasing his accuracy with the iron shots. His iron play has significantly improved since last year, as he identified and addressed technical issues in his swing.
Chen Po Hao, another local player, scored an eagle and three birdies, demonstrating his prowess with the irons and putter. Chen, a former champion, aims to avoid the rough areas tomorrow to contend for the title.
In this two-day, 36-hole competition, 85 professional players (including 4 Taiwan Tour players) and 11 amateur players are competing for the championship trophy and a prize of NT$150,000.
This week's event is the second stage of the ThreeBond Challenge Tour season, with a total prize purse of NT$1 million. This marks the seventh consecutive year that BothWell Group has sponsored this event at Cheng Guan Yuan Golf Practice Field. The Taiwan Professional Golf Association and ThreeBond jointly organize the event, with Hsin Yi Golf Course as the co-organizer.
During the competition, Cheng Guan Yuan Practice Field provides complimentary practice sessions for participants, as well as a buffet for the awards ceremony. Additionally, YI CHANG FOODS CO., LTD. sponsors VIP gifts, while CLASSIC DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD. Chairman Zheng Yangqing sponsors snacks for players in each round.
The course measures 7510 yards in length, with tee times scheduled for 6:30 am for both rounds. The competition is expected to conclude around 2 pm tomorrow, followed by the awards ceremony.
