ThreeBond Cheng Guan Yuan Challenge Tour
Round 1
April 23, 2025
The second leg of the 2025 ThreeBond TPGA Challenge Tour, the Cheng Guan Yuan Challenge Tour, teed off today (April 23) at Ta Kang Shan Golf Course in Kaohsiung. Lin Yuan-wei fired a 6-under 66 to claim the solo lead and won the NT$15,000 "Low Round of the Day" prize sponsored by Councilor Huang Ming-tsung. His remarkable 29 on the back nine also set a new Challenge Tour record for the lowest nine-hole score.
Hsieh Ting-wei trails by one stroke with a 67, placing him in solo second heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Lin’s score of 29 on the back nine and two eagles marked personal bests. Wang Sheng-hui shot a 68 to sit in third place, while Hsieh Tung-hung, Jerry Yang, and Wu Yao-wei all posted 69s to tie for fourth—just three shots off the lead. Among amateurs, Tang He-jun recorded the best score with a 76.
This week’s tournament marks the second event of the 2025 Challenge Tour season, offering a total purse of NT$1 million. This is the eighth consecutive year that the Both-well Group (Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range) has served as title sponsor. The event is co-hosted by ThreeBond and the Taiwan PGA, with Ta Kang Shan Golf Course as the co-organizing venue.
The 36-hole, two-day event features 91 professional players (including 2 from the Taiwan Tour) and 5 amateurs, all competing for the trophy and NT$150,000 winner’s prize.
A product of Taiwan Golf & Country Club, Lin Yuan-wei had a contrasting front and back nine—posting 37 on the front with one eagle, one birdie, and four bogeys, followed by a blazing 29 on the back with one eagle and five birdies. He said both the nine-hole 29 and two eagles were personal milestones. He struggled early, hitting only two fairways on the front, but corrected his driver starting at the 10th hole and hit seven fairways on the back. His putting was spot on with just 27 putts—16 on the front, 11 on the back.
Lin eagled the par-5 2nd hole with an 8-foot putt and the par-5 14th with a 27-footer. He also holed notable birdie putts: a 40-footer on 15, 21-footer on 4, and 15-footers on 10 and 18.
Hsieh Ting-wei carded five birdies and no bogeys. He attributed his performance to consistent driving, missing only two fairways. His iron play and putting were steady. In addition to birdies on par-5s 2 and 17, he made a 27-foot birdie on the par-4 12th, his longest putt of the day. He also pulled off an excellent up-and-down on the par-3 8th from behind the green for par. Though he left several birdie chances within 18 feet, he said, “I misread the speed.” Having just won his first professional title at last week’s Challenge Tour opener, he now seeks back-to-back victories.
Wang Sheng-hui, in third, shot a 68 with one eagle, four birdies, and two bogeys. He eagled the par-5 14th with a 30-foot putt after reaching the green in two. His birdies included a 21-footer on 7 and two 8-footers on 6 and 8. He said his driving and iron play were solid (13 greens in regulation), and he used 29 putts. Wang also noted he makes adjustments after every tournament, which has paid off this season.
Hsieh Tung-hung shot five birdies and two bogeys. He praised his new Mizuno B6 fang-style putter, which helped him total just 27 putts. He avoided hazards, out-of-bounds, bunkers, and three-putts—key to his solid round.
Jerry Yang made five birdies but also carded a double bogey. He noted that his health has improved, especially a previously injured knee, and he’s now swinging well. His best hole was the 4th, where he holed a 15-foot downhill putt for birdie. He hit 15 greens and took 30 putts overall.
During the tournament, Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range offered players free practice use and provided a buffet during the awards ceremony. Yi Chang Foods Co. sponsored souvenir gifts for guests, while Classic Development Co. Chairman Cheng Yang-ching provided player snacks for each round.
The course measures 7,191 yards. Tee times for both rounds are 6:30 AM, and tomorrow’s final round is expected to conclude around 2:00 PM, followed by the awards ceremony.
ThreeBond, a Japanese multinational company known for industrial adhesives, has now sponsored the TPGA Challenge Tour for 11 years. The 2025 season includes nine events.
Special Prizes for This Tournament (Rounds 1 & 2: April 23–24)
Hole-in-One Prizes:
Holes 3, 8, 13, 16 – equivalent-value products provided by the course:
Hole 3: 20 dozen V PLUS U3 3-piece golf balls
Hole 8: 6 bottles of 17-year-old Pierce whisky
Hole 13: 365 bottles of FIJI Water (500ml)
Additional NT$30,000 bonus from the course
Hole 3: NT$100,000 sponsored by Both-well Group / Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range
Hole 6: ORIS watch valued at NT$122,800 sponsored by Tung Hui Watch Co. (professionals only)
Hole 13: NT$100,000 sponsored by TZER LI ENTERPRISE CO.
Hole 17: NT$100,000 sponsored by Elite Industech Co.
Daily Low Round Award:
Sponsored by Lions Club 1415 President Huang Ming-tsung
NT$15,000 awarded daily on April 23 and 24 (professionals only)
Course Record Bonus:
NT$20,000 for breaking the course record of 64, held by Lin Wen-Tang
Amateur Champion Bonus:
Sponsored by DUNLOP Taiwan – five sleeves of SRIXON Z-STAR XV balls
Sponsored by Shang Chong International Co. – one OMNIX golf bag
Spectator Policy:
The event is not open for on-course spectators. Only designated spectator areas at the 1st and 10th tees and around the 9th and 18th greens are accessible. For safety reasons, children under 6 and pets are not permitted on the course.
