2026 HCT ADT Open
Round 4
July 24, 2026
The 2026 HCT ADT Open concluded its thrilling, dramatic, and fiercely competitive final round today (July 24) at the Hsinfeng Golf Club in Hsinchu County. Forty-seven-year-old Taiwanese veteran Lu Wei-chih squandered a five-stroke lead before staging a miraculous eagle from 24 yards off the green on the first extra hole of a three-way playoff to capture the title. Breaking a 10-year drought in international events, Lu claimed the championship trophy and the winner's share of USD $21,000 (approximately NT$67.2 million/NT$672,000). This marks his first ADT victory following three Asian Tour titles, and his 10th career professional win, building upon his triumph at the Kaohsiung Open in 2024.
Lu shot an even-par 72 today for a four-round total of 15-under-par 273. Two young Taiwanese players, Wang Wei-hsuan and Shapiyate Mako, mounted fierce charges with rounds of 66 and 68 respectively, matching Lu's 273 total. However, both fell short in the sudden-death playoff when Lu holed his eagle shot, settling for a share of runner-up honors and taking home USD $11,100 (approximately NT$35.52 million/NT$355,200) each.
Young Taiwanese talents Chan Chia-han and Hsieh Ting-wei both carded impressive 66s to finish in fourth and fifth places respectively, with four-round totals of 14-under-par 274 and 13-under-par 275.
Additionally, South Korea's Jaeil Kim aced the 173-yard 12th hole using a 6-iron, earning a NT$20,000 cash prize from Hsinfeng Golf Club and a complimentary one-night stay in the Presidential Suite at Lishan Guest House (valid for weekdays and weekends alike) from the Da-An Group. He became the third player to record a hole-in-one during the tournament week.
Entering the final round with a commanding five-stroke lead, Lu played conservatively on the front nine and looked visibly tight, carding three birdies, a double bogey, and a bogey for a 37, dropping his total to 14-under-par. Meanwhile, players trailing behind made heavy charges: Wang Wei-hsuan (seven strokes back), Chang Wei-lun (five strokes back), and Mako (four strokes back) quickly closed the gap. By the turn, Wang had fired five birdies to reach 13-under, trailing Lu by just a single stroke, while Mako and Chang both reached 12-under, just two shots back.
On the back nine, Wang caught fire with four consecutive birdies from holes 11 to 14, taking a one-stroke lead by the 11th hole. After birdieing the 14th, he reached 17-under-par, holding a comfortable three-shot cushion over Mako and Lu, seemingly destined for a runaway victory. However, momentum shifted dramatically when Wang found a bunker on the par-3 15th, botched his recovery chip, and walked away with a double bogey, followed by another bogey on the 16th. This logjam brought all three players level at 14-under-par. Eventually, all three birdied the closing par-5 18th hole to finish regulation tied at 15-under-par 273, forcing a playoff.
The trio returned to the 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Wang pushed his drive right into the rough, caught a tree on his second shot, and barely reached the green in three to about 6 feet. Mako split the fairway with his drive, laid up in front of the green, and also hit his third shot to about 4 feet. Lu pushed his drive slightly left into the edge of the rough and caught the deep right-rear greenside rough with his second shot, leaving himself 24 yards to the pin. What followed was sheer magic: Lu executed a stunning downhill chip that tracked straight into the cup for an eagle, drawing thunderous cheers from the gallery and sending him leaping into the air in ecstatic disbelief as he high-fived his son, who was caddying for him.
Reflecting after the round, Lu shared that once he realized he had lost his lead on the back nine, his mindset completely shifted. Instead of playing tight, he freed up, adopting a balanced yet aggressive strategy that ultimately yielded a crucial birdie on the 18th hole of regulation to force the playoff. Regarding his miraculous playoff shot, he admitted it completely exceeded his expectations: "With a downhill lie, I was just hoping to land it safely near the pin and secure a steady birdie. I never imagined it would roll all the way into the cup. If you asked me to try and chip that in a hundred more times, I probably couldn't do it again."
Turning professional in 2003, Lu boasts three Asian Tour victories: capturing the Taiwan Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2005 and 2011, and winning the Yeangder TPC Championship in 2011 (all co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour). He also secured the TLPGA (Taifong) Open in 2007 and the Yeangder Invitation in 2011, alongside a victory on the Japan Challenge Tour, marking the peak of his early career. However, after undergoing brain surgery in August 2012, his physical stamina and reflexes were severely impacted, causing a dip in form. Through grueling rehabilitation, he triumphed at the Taiwan Masters once more four years later in 2016. After holding Asian Tour cards continuously from 2010 to 2011 and again from 2014 to 2019, a recurrence of his neurological issues caused him to lose his Asian Tour status for the past four years. Nevertheless, he persevered, claiming back-to-back titles at the Kaohsiung Open in 2023 and 2024.
Lu expressed heartfelt gratitude to his long-time quiet supporters: Victor Chang, Chairman of Wistron Corporation; Kuo Chien-hung, Chairman of Videoland Television Network; Chairman Yu of the Metal Craft Workshop; Formost; and Yeangder Group Chairman Emmet Hsu, who continued sponsoring him even through his darkest injury-plagued years. Their unwavering encouragement gave him the drive to keep fighting. He reserved his deepest appreciation for his wife and family, noting that after his surgery, he feared he would never play golf again. He thanked his wife for her tireless care, which allowed him to make a gradual recovery and return to the Asian Tour circuit, continually providing nutritional and physical support to help him endure grueling full-year schedules.
Looking ahead, Lu outlined his goals: to further strengthen his physical conditioning, push hard in the remaining ADT events this season to finish inside the top 10 on the ADT Order of Merit, and secure his Asian Tour card for next year without having to go through Q-school. He hopes to play a few more years on the Asian Tour, sharpen his game, build up his physique, and ultimately set his sights on competing on the PGA Tour Champions once he turns 50.
Co-organized by the Yeangder Group, the TPGA, and the Asian Development Tour (ADT), this marks the first time the Yeangder Group has title-sponsored an ADT event under the name of this specific corporate affiliate. It is also the second consecutive ADT tournament hosted by the Yeangder Group this year, the third consecutive week of ADT action in Taiwan this season, and the 10th stop of the 13-tournament 2026 ADT season.
The Yeangder Group first title-sponsored the Yeangder ADT Open in 2012, followed by three consecutive years of co-title-sponsoring ADT events with other corporations starting in 2014. From 2015 to 2016, and again in 2024 and 2025, the group title-sponsored the Ambassador ADT at Hsinfeng Golf Club. After hosting the Ambassador ADT at Taiwan Golf Country Club (Tamshui) last week, the group has added the HCT ADT Open this week. This marks the 10th time the Yeangder Group has title-sponsored and co-organized an ADT event alongside the TPGA and the Asian Tour.
HCT Logistics Co., Ltd. (HCT) was founded in 1938 and is a premier comprehensive logistics service enterprise in Taiwan, currently operating as a major business entity under the Yeangder Group. HCT offers a diverse range of services, including ambient and low-temperature delivery, warehousing management, cash-on-delivery, e-commerce logistics, and supply chain integration. With a robust operating and delivery network covering all of Taiwan, HCT actively integrates digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to continuously enhance delivery efficiency and service quality. Through the integration of logistics, commercial flow, cash flow, and information flow, HCT is committed to building modern, highly efficient, intelligent, and premium logistics services, making it the most trusted partner for businesses and a leading brand in Taiwan’s logistics industry.
Years ago, Yeangder Group Chairman Emmet Hsu expressed a long-held vision: to support young players striving to break onto the international stage by hosting international tournaments. Through his individual title sponsorship, corporate co-sponsorships, and collaborations with other businesses, the Yeangder Group achieved a milestone in 2015 by hosting four ADT tournaments in Taiwan within a single calendar year. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative were players such as Chan Shih-chang, Hung Chien-yao, Hsieh Chi-hsien, and Lee Chieh-po, who helped cultivate Taiwan’s next generation of golfing talent. Furthermore, participating in ADT events awards Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, serving as a vital stepping stone for rising professional stars.
In addition to continuing its title sponsorship of the Ambassador ADT this year, the Yeangder Group has added this tournament to its roster to persistently create more platforms for Taiwanese players to advance into the international golf scene, while boosting players' ADT and world ranking points for qualification to higher tiers of competition.
With the Yeangder Group hosting this week's HCT ADT Open, last week's Ambassador ADT Open, and the preceding Ever Glory ADT Open, Taiwan has hosted three consecutive weeks of ADT events this July out of the 13 total tournaments in the season. This not only attracts top-tier international talent to compete but also provides young Taiwanese players with more opportunities to hone their skills and challenge themselves on a major stage.
Aside from the two ADT events hosted by the Yeangder Group this July, September's Yeangder Taiwan Open—an upgraded version of the Yeangder TPC Championship—features a record-high total prize fund this year. This clearly demonstrates that the Yeangder Group not only plays a steadfast role in supporting Taiwanese golf over the long term but is also a major driving force for golf in Asia.
ADT points have been included in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) since 2013, and the top 10 players on the final ADT Order of Merit earn eligibility for the Asian Tour the following season.
The final two rounds of exciting competition will be broadcast via delayed video streaming, premiering online starting at 16:00 on August 3 and August 4. This year's broadcasting platforms include the TPGA Facebook and YouTube channels, Yahoo Sports, the TPGA official website, the LINE platform (Golfourit), and the Intelligent Sports Channel (Zhi Lin TV). In addition, Golf Media—Taiwan's sole course digital media network—will broadcast the event across 20 golf courses island-wide.
