2026 CHAU-SHI Series Qing Lian HDF Open Round 1 August 5, 2026 The 2026 CHAU-SHI Series - Qing Lian HDF Open, featuring a total prize purse of NT$3.5 million, officially teed off today at the Chang Hwa Golf Club. Amidst high temperatures and blazing sunshine, Wang Wei-hsuan, seeking a three-peat, carded eight birdies and one bogey for a 7-under-par 65, taking the sole lead after the first round. Chang Wei-lun shot a 5-under-par 67 to sit in second place, while Chan Shih-chang holds third place following a 68. Four players—Yang Hsiao-che, Lu Wei-chih, Hung Chien-yao, and Italy's Gabriele De Barba—are tied for fourth place after shooting rounds of 69. Chen Hsuan-yi carded a 71 to tie for 17th, recording the best score among the 8 amateur participants in the field. The tournament is title-sponsored individually by Weng Chau-shi, Honorary Chairman of the Mercuries Group, and organized by the Taiwan Professional Golf Association (TPGA). The Qing Lian Group and Hote Precision Technology Co., Ltd. serve as the single-tournament title sponsors, with the Chang Hwa Golf Club as the co-organizer. This is the third consecutive year that the Qing Lian Group and Hote Precision Technology have title-sponsored the event, and the Qing Lian Group has announced it will continue its sponsorship for the next three years. The 72-hole event features 139 players from 5 countries, including 106 players from Taiwan (98 professionals and 8 amateurs) and 33 international professionals from Italy, Japan, Thailand, and the United States. The champion will receive NT$650,000, and the runner-up will earn NT$33,000. Power hitter Wang Wei-hsuan capitalized on his strong driving and putting performance today, carding eight birdies. He birdied three of the four par-5 holes, reaching the green in two shots on the 1st and 17th, and executing a precise up-and-down on the 10th. His lone blemish came on the 18th, where his second shot found the water, but he recovered well to save par from 15 feet. He also drained a 25-foot long putt on the 6th and an 8-footer on the 2nd, shooting a 5-under 30 on the front nine. He noted that the green speeds and turf grain are in better condition than last year, though the sweltering heat made stamina and patience major factors. Chang Wei-lun recorded eight birdies—including three on par-5s—against three bogeys. His driving and chipping were solid, and his sub-100-yard wedge play was exceptional, leaving him with close birdie opportunities inside 6 feet, though he did suffer one three-putt and missed a few short chances. Chan Shih-chang hit 100 percent of his fairways and showcased precise short irons and chipping, highlighted by chipping in from 6 yards off the green on the 4th hole and sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on the 14th. Despite a couple of minor putting lapses, he finished with a strong opening round. Hung Chien-yao, who trained at Chang Hwa Golf Club during his youth, carded three birdies and no bogeys. He expressed satisfaction with his performance after working with his coach over the past two weeks to fine-tune his long game and iron swings following the Ambassador ADT. Italian player Gabriele De Barba also shot a bogey-free round with three birdies on the front nine, displaying consistent putting with 27 putts total. Lu Wei-chih, looking for back-to-back Taiwan Tour titles, posted four birdies and one bogey, noting that the complex green contours and grass grain present a major challenge for distance control on longer putts. Yang Hsiao-che carded five birdies and two bogeys, relying on solid driving, iron play, and a hot putter to navigate the firm course conditions. Following the first two rounds, the field will be cut to the top 50 players and ties for the final two rounds. Special Awards: Hole-in-One Prizes: NT$10,000 provided by the club for holes 2, 9, 11, and 16. Special 11th Hole Prize: Any professional who hits a hole-in-one on the 11th hole during the four official rounds will receive a NT$20,000 cash prize sponsored by Chang Hwa Golf Club Director Hsieh Chien-hui, with no limit on the number of winners. Grand Hotel Stay: Da-An Group is offering a free one-night stay in the Presidential Suite at the Lishan Guest House for any hole-in-one, with no limit on the number of winners. Course Record: NT$20,000 provided by Chang Hwa Golf Club (currently 64, held by Chang Che-yu). Spectator Information: Spectators are welcome. Please pay a NT$20 insurance fee at the clubhouse counter, fill out the required information, and collect a spectator badge. Spectators must walk on cart paths; no shuttle service between holes is provided. For safety reasons, children under 6 and pets are not permitted on the course. Highlights of the final two rounds will be broadcast via delayed recording on August 18 and 19 starting at 16:00. Platforms include the TPGA Facebook page and YouTube channel, Yahoo Sports, the LINE Golfourit channel, the TPGA official website, Zhilin Sports, and LINE Today.
