The second event of the 2026 ThreeBond Challenge Tour, the Cheng Guan Yuan Challenge, concluded today (April 23) at Takangshan Golf Club in Kaohsiung. In a tightly contested battle for the title, Chen Ting-yu delivered a steady performance, carding a 1-under-par 71 for a two-round total of 5-under-par 139 to claim his first professional victory and the winner’s prize of NT$150,000. He also became the first left-handed player to win a professional event on the ThreeBond Challenge Tour in Taiwan.

Yang Hao fired a 70, while Lin Da-yu posted a 71. Both players finished at 4-under-par 140 over two rounds, tying for second place, one stroke behind the champion, and each earned NT$62,500 in prize money.

Chen Wei-sheng shot a 68 to claim the low round of the day and received a NT$15,000 bonus sponsored by Lions Clubs International District 300E1 Governor Huang Ming-tsung. He finished tied for 22nd place with a two-round total of 148.

In the amateur division, You Hong-yu, trained at National Golf Country Club, carded a 69 for a two-round total of 160 to win the amateur title. He also tied for 38th place in the professional standings and received additional prizes, including five dozen SRIXON Z-STAR DIAMOND golf balls sponsored by DUNLOP Taiwan and an OMNIX golf bag sponsored by Omnix International Co., Ltd.

Chen Ting-yu expressed his excitement after securing his first professional win, saying he did not expect to achieve it so soon. He noted that he had struggled before 2024 and only regained his form early last year. He thanked his family for their support, his coaches Tsai Ting-hung and Huang Kuo-lun for their guidance, the training support from Yang Sheng Golf Club, and his girlfriend for standing by him throughout his journey.

Chen, who turned professional in May last year, began the final round tied at 4-under-par with Wang Shih-jui. After the front nine, he had built a two-stroke lead. Lin Da-yu, one of his main challengers, started in the final group one stroke behind. After 16 holes, Lin recorded two birdies and three bogeys, while Chen had three birdies and three bogeys, maintaining a two-shot lead. Lin made a remarkable eagle with a 40-foot putt on the par-5 17th hole, but Chen responded with a birdie on the same hole to retain a one-shot lead. Both players made par on the 18th hole, allowing Chen to secure victory by a single stroke.

Meanwhile, Yang Hao, who started two shots behind, reached 4-under-par after 15 holes, trailing Chen by just one stroke, and caught up on the 16th hole. However, he failed to make another birdie over the final three holes, particularly on the par-5 17th, and was unable to tie or overtake the lead. He finished with five birdies and three bogeys for a round of 70, ending tied for second, one stroke back.

Chen credited his victory to a steady strategy and consistent performance with his woods, along with maintaining a composed mindset despite some nervousness. A key moment came on the 365-yard par-4 15th hole, where he drove into a left bunker with a 5-iron, then hit a 9-iron onto the green, leaving a 3-foot putt which he converted for birdie to maintain a one-shot lead. Although he made a bogey on the 16th, he bounced back with a birdie on the 17th. On the 18th, his first putt from nearly 40 feet stopped within one foot of the hole, securing a par and ultimately the victory.

Chen began playing golf at the age of 10 under his father’s guidance and decided in his first year of junior high school to pursue the sport professionally. Now 24, he aims to win more titles in the future. His goals for this season include finishing among the top three in the Challenge Tour money list and placing in the top 10 in every Taiwan Tour event. He also plans to enter qualifying schools for the China Tour and the Asian Tour in the second half of the year.

This week’s tournament marked the second event of the 2026 ThreeBond Challenge Tour season, with a total purse of NT$1 million. It was the ninth consecutive year that the Pai Wei Group (Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range) has served as the title sponsor of this event. The tournament was co-organized by The PGA of Taiwan (TPGA) and ThreeBond Co., Ltd., with Takangshan Golf Club as the co-host venue.

The competition was played over 36 holes across two rounds with no cut. A total of 90 professional players (including one from South Africa) and six amateurs competed for the championship trophy and NT$150,000 winner’s prize.

Three companies sponsored hole-in-one prizes of NT$100,000 each. As no player achieved a hole-in-one during the tournament, Wu Ji Pastry Shop, Zeli Industrial Co., and Yilida Resource Technology Co., Ltd. each donated their prize funds to the TPGA as a development fund for promoting golf.

During the tournament, Cheng Guan Yuan Driving Range provided free practice for participants, as well as a buffet on the day of the awards ceremony. Additionally, the century-old pastry brand Chiu Chen Nan sponsored gifts for VIP guests, and Chairman Cheng Yang-ching of Jing Dian Development provided snacks for players in each round.

ThreeBond, a Japanese multinational company specializing in industrial adhesives, has been the title sponsor of the TPGA Challenge Tour for 12 consecutive years. The 2026 ThreeBond TPGA Challenge Tour will continue to feature nine events this season.