May 6, 2026

The 2026 TAIWAN GLASS TAIFONG OPEN kicked off today (7th) at the Taifong Golf Club in Changhua. Thai player Tawit Polthai carded a 6-under-par 66 in the first round to take the sole lead.

Thai player Charng-Tai Sudsom, Shotaro Ban of the USA, and Nick Voke of New Zealand are tied for second place with 67, one stroke behind the leader. Eight players are tied for fifth at 68, including Chang Zhe-yu and Liu Yung-hua of Taiwan, David Boote of Wales, Ryan Ang of Singapore, Steve Lewton of England, Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand, Ian Snyman of South Africa, and Zheng Yunhe of China.

Thailand's Tawit recorded seven birdies and one bogey today. His putting was sharp, highlighted by a 27-foot long birdie putt on the par-3 12th hole, his longest of the day. His chipping also helped him secure three birdies on the four par-5 holes. He finished with 26 putts total, shooting 33 on both the front and back nines.

Last year, he qualified for this event through his ranking on the Taiwan Tour and finished tied for 27th. He noted that the course remains in excellent condition this year and found the greens quite challenging.

The 31-year-old was the 2025 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner. This is his first year on the Asian Tour. Although he only made one cut in his first four starts while adjusting to various challenges, his tied-33rd finish at the Singapore Open on April 23 gave him significant confidence. Today's strong first round is a great start for his week.

His compatriot Charng-Tai Sudsom recorded one eagle, four birdies, and one bogey today, also thanks to accurate putting with 25 total putts. After starting from the 10th hole, he suffered a bogey on the 13th due to a three-putt. However, the momentum shifted after birdies on the par-5 17th and 18th. On the back nine, he secured an eagle and two birdies, specifically chipping in from 35 yards for eagle on the par-5 5th hole. He rarely used his driver today, focusing on keeping the ball on the fairway to create birdie opportunities.

This is his third time playing in this tournament, having finished 37th and 67th in previous years. He remarked that while the green speed at Taifong is not as fast as before, the difficulty has increased. Despite ranking 66th on the 2025 Asian Tour and losing his full card, he can still compete based on his ranking. Having won a Thai Tour title last week, he said the victory boosted his confidence for this event. Charng-Tai's father is Taiwanese and his mother is Thai; his Chinese name is Chen Chang-tai.

American player Shotaro Ban recorded one eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys today. Starting from the 10th, he shot a 36 on his front nine, including an eagle on the par-5 17th. His back nine was excellent across driving, irons, and putting, leading to five birdies for a 31.

He stated that the course condition is good and the greens are drier than in previous years, remaining challenging. He is in good form and recorded his best single-round score at this course, having tied for 56th last year.

Taiwanese player Chang Zhe-yu carded five birdies and one bogey. He mentioned after the round that all aspects of his game were balanced, hitting 15 fairways and only missing two or three greens. He had 29 putts, with his longest being a 15-foot birdie on the 11th; all other birdies were within 15 feet. He noted that if his iron shots were more accurate, he would have had more birdie chances.

He mentioned that he recently adjusted the sequence of his swing power, making the ball much easier to control. Due to heavy rain the day before, the greens were softer and slower, making putting easier. He has participated almost every year but never made the cut, so his goal this year is to reach the final rounds.

Liu Yung-hua recorded one eagle, three birdies, and one bogey. His putting was accurate, making three to four par-saving putts and two long birdie putts of 18 and 21 feet. On the par-5 17th, his third shot left him 5 feet from the hole for a birdie, followed by another 12-foot birdie on the 18th. Starting from the 10th, he shot 32 on the front and 36 on the back.

This is his second year on the Asian Tour. Having played three events and making one cut in Singapore, he hopes for a good result this week.

After tomorrow's second round, the top 65 players will advance to the final two rounds of the championship.

The 2026 TAIWAN GLASS TAIFONG OPEN is held from May 7 to 10 at the Taifong Golf Club in Changhua. This is the fourth consecutive year Taifong has title-sponsored an Asian Tour event. The total prize money has increased from US$400,000 to US$500,000 (approx. NT$15.5 million), with the winner receiving US$90,000 (approx. NT$2.79 million). A total of 144 players from 27 countries are competing, a new record for the event. Taifong Golf Club hosted ADT events for nine years (2014-2022) and was upgraded to an Asian Tour venue in 2023. This year marks the 12th year of collaboration between the Asian Tour and Taifong. This partnership enriches Taiwan's international schedule and provides local players opportunities to compete with world-class talent, playing a key role in nurturing Asian golf prospects. Chairman Lin Por-shih elevated the Taifong ADT Open to the Asian Tour in 2023 to provide Taiwanese players a high-level platform for experience and world ranking points. He has title-sponsored this event for four years and increased the purse to US$500,000 this year, while signing a new three-year contract with the Asian Tour through 2028.

Furthermore, the tournament was moved from year-end to early May for the first time, strengthening the field. It is a highly anticipated event for fans and a crucial ranking battle for international players.

The event is title-sponsored by Taiwan Glass Group and Taifong Golf Club, organized by the TPGA and Asian Tour, and guided by the Ministry of Sport. The runner-up will receive US$55,000 and third place US$31,500. 144 international and local stars are competing for the title and top prizes.

Players represent 27 countries: Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, England, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, USA, Wales, and Taiwan (98 international, 46 local).

Chairman Lin Por-shih has been a driving force for Taiwan golf since 2005, hosting numerous TPGA, Senior, Ladies, and ADT events. Even during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, he continued to support the sport by hosting the Taifong Men's Open for the Taiwan Tour.

The event is named "Taiwan Glass Taifong Open" as Chairman Lin is both Chairman of the club and President of Taiwan Glass Group. Incorporating the group's name brings more resources and a diverse outlook, introducing international players to Taiwanese multinational enterprises and a world-class course.

The unique "Siza Pavilion" clubhouse, designed by renowned architect Alvaro Siza and opened in 2020, blends aesthetics with comfort, integrating sport and art to provide an exceptional experience for players and fans.

The course follows Asian Tour standards with a total length of 7,255 yards. The greens and fairways are in top condition, with green speeds reaching 10.2. The long fairways, thick rough, and undulating greens pose a significant challenge for all competitors.

Special Awards

Hole-in-One: NT$10,000 for holes 2, 8, 12, and 15 provided by the club. Chairman Lin provides a NT$100,000 prize for the first player to ace the 15th hole.

The first two rounds (May 7-8) will be broadcast as one-hour highlights from 23:00-00:00. The third (May 9) and final (May 10) rounds will be broadcast live starting at 11:30 AM on Sportcast Golf 2.

Admission is free for all four days. Spectators must register at the Siza Pavilion counter for a pass. Public liability insurance is provided. Spectators must use cart paths; riding in golf carts or using shuttle services is prohibited. Children under 6 and pets are discouraged from entering for safety reasons; the committee reserves the right to refuse entry.