The final round of the 2025 ThreeBond TPGA Challenge Tour was held today (June 20) at Wu Fong Golf Course in Taichung. Lin Ta-yu, who held a one-shot lead at the start, held his ground and regained momentum, carding a brilliant 4-under 68. He finished with a two-round total of 135, 9-under par, edging out the competition by a single stroke to claim his first career title and the NT$150,000 champion’s prize.
Hsieh Ting-wei, who had started the day three shots behind, fought hard and shot a 66, finishing at 136, just one shot back, to claim second place and a prize of NT$75,000.
Luo Cheng-yuan, Chang Chien Ko-yen, and Chang Ting-chia carded 67, 69, and 71 respectively, all finishing with a two-round total of 140, sharing third place.
Lin Ta-yu teed off with a one-shot lead. His long game was shaky on the front nine, finding water and out-of-bounds on holes 1, 7, and 9, resulting in three bogeys. However, he made up for it with three birdies and posted an even-par 36, maintaining his narrow lead over the surging Hsieh Ting-wei. On the back nine, Lin focused on improving his drives, keeping the ball in the fairway, and approaching the greens strategically. With stable play and four more birdies, he maintained a one-shot lead after the 17th hole. He knew that a par on the final hole would secure the win.
On the 18th hole, he found the center of the fairway with his drive. His second shot landed safely on the green about 6 feet past the hole on a downhill line. With two steady putts, he secured par and raised his arms in celebration—his first professional victory.
After the round, Lin credited accurate putting and a calm, positive mindset for the win. Struggling with putting in the past, he began using the claw grip in June, the same technique used by world number one Scottie Scheffler. After some promising feel at the previous event at Songboling, this week marked his second time using it in competition—and it worked wonders, delivering his maiden title.
Although his long game was erratic on the front nine, Lin had only 10 putts through nine holes, which gave him confidence. He reminded himself to stay calm, refocus on driving, and trust his putting stroke, which led to a steady back nine and ultimately, victory.
The 25-year-old began playing golf at age 10 and committed to training seriously by 12. He pursued a professional career path, even studying and competing in the U.S. during high school. Although he was unable to continue his college career in the U.S., he returned to Taiwan in 2018 and turned professional in 2019. Since then, he has worked hard preparing and qualifying, always striving to climb to higher tours. With this first win checked off, his 2025 goal is to become the Challenge Tour’s Order of Merit champion and eventually earn a place on the Asian and PGA Tours. He gave special thanks to Chang Hua Group, his training facilities Hsin Feng Golf Club and Hsinchu Trinity Golf Academy, for their support and sponsorship.
Li Jui-shen, who won his first title last week at the Huan Tai Challenge Tour at Songboling, withdrew after nine holes due to finger pain, ending his hopes of back-to-back wins.
This tournament was a two-round, 36-hole event with 84 players (including 3 amateurs). It was a no-cut event, with prize money awarded to the top 40 finishers (including ties) after two rounds.
This was the fourth stop of the 2025 ThreeBond Challenge Tour, offering a total purse of NT$1,000,000. Jointly organized by ThreeBond and the PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), it marked the first time Wu Fong Golf Course hosted a Challenge Tour event.
Located in Taichung's Wu Fong District, the course is designed in harmony with the area's mountainous terrain. Long and short holes are interwoven, with longer holes on gentle slopes and shorter ones nestled in valleys and steep terrain. After undergoing restoration following the 921 Earthquake, Wu Fong Golf Course has become more challenging, with narrow fairways and numerous OB lines and red stakes. Accuracy and strategy are essential to scoring well here.
In 2009, Wu Fong Golf Course became the first in Taiwan to receive certification from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Since then, it has adhered to Audubon standards, reducing pesticide and fertilizer usage, restoring the natural ecosystem, and protecting wildlife, making it one of the healthiest and most environmentally friendly golf environments. General Manager Huang Jing-chu noted that the course was recertified in May, calling it the biggest highlight of the year and inviting everyone to return and enjoy the course and its competitions.
ThreeBond, a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in adhesives, has been the title sponsor of the TPGA Challenge Tour for 11 years. The 2025 season features nine Challenge Tour events.
