Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament

Round 2

Sep. 25, 2026

The second round of the 2026 Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament took place today (September 25) at the historic Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Golf Course) amidst brilliant Mid-Autumn Festival sunshine. Taiwan's Chang Wei-lun delivered a steady performance to card a 4-under-par 68, taking the solo lead at a two-round total of 6-under-par 138.

Hung Chien-yao shot a 67, Thailand's Suteepat Prateeptienchai carded a 69, and 2017 champion Gavin Green of Malaysia posted a 71. All three players share second place at a total of 139.

Hung Chien-yao and Chan Shih-chang, who also fired a 67, shared the C.H. Chen Memorial Award for the day's lowest round, splitting the NT$30,000 prize to take home NT$15,000 each.

Chan Shih-chang, alongside Taiwan's Shen Wei-cheng (who shot 71) and Australia's Kevin Yuan (who posted 73), sits tied for fifth place at 4-under-par 140.

Following the conclusion of the second round, the cut line fell at 3-over-par 147, advancing 51 players to the weekend finals. Tomorrow's third round will feature a single-tee start from the 1st hole, with the first group teeing off at 7:10 AM and the final group at 11:30 AM, expected to conclude around 4:30 PM.

The 72-hole tournament runs through September 27. This year, the total prize purse has been elevated to a record-breaking US$1.2 million (approximately NT$37.2 million), making it one of the most lucrative men's professional events in Taiwan. The champion's prize has increased to US$240,000 (approximately NT$7.44 million), setting a new benchmark in Taiwan's professional golf history.

Celebrating its milestone 40th edition, the tournament is co-organized by the Asian Tour and the TPGA, hosted by the Taiwan Golf Club, and supported by Mercuries & Associates Holding Ltd., Mercuries Life Insurance Co., Ltd., and the Taiwan Masters Golf Promotion Foundation. The event is guided by the Sports Administration, with special thanks for receiving a subsidy grant under the Sports Administration's Taiwan Brand International Sports Events Program.

Taking over the solo lead, Chang Wei-lun posted five birdies and one bogey. He noted that all aspects of his game were exceptionally stable. Although he hit only six fairways, his tee shots missed by narrow margins, leaving clean angles to attack the greens. His only blemish came on the 3rd hole after a wayward drive into the trees resulted in a bogey, which he managed well. He bounced back with three consecutive birdies from holes 6 to 8—highlighted by two-putt birdies on the par-5s—and added stellar birdie makes on the par-3 8th and 10th holes from 18 feet and under 3 feet, respectively. Playing in the calm morning wave, Chang utilized accurate distance control and stellar short game execution—finishing with 26 putts—to build his lead, crediting his local caddie's precise green reads.

Hung Chien-yao carded six birdies and a bogey, hitting 14 greens in regulation—five more than yesterday—to create ample scoring opportunities. Despite an opening-hole bogey when his tee shot drifted left, he quickly adjusted his mindset and stuck to his strategy, stringing together three straight birdies from holes 6 to 8 and capitalizing on three par-5s. Key highlights included a downhill 14-foot birdie putt on the par-3 8th and a crisp approach to 4 feet on the 18th for a closing birdie. He finished with 26 putts, one fewer than the previous day.

2017 champion Gavin Green experienced a rollercoaster round, carding a 38 on the front nine with one birdie and three bogeys, followed by a 33 on the back nine featuring five birdies and a double bogey. Co-runner-up Suteepat Prateeptienchai posted five birdies and three bogeys (35-34). Both players noted the extreme difficulty of the course, emphasizing that narrow fairways and penal rough demand finding the short grass first—often without using a driver—before attempting to approach the greens under intense patience. Suteepat, the 2024 TPGA Order of Merit champion and the only foreign player to win both the Yeangder TPC and Ta Pao Taifeng Open, aims to add this prestigious title to his resume.

Chan Shih-chang produced the day's lowest round, describing it as nearly flawless. Aside from a three-putt bogey on the 12th, his long and short games clicked harmoniously, yielding six birdies. The highlight of his day came on the 18th hole, where he drained an incredible, massive 80-foot left-to-right breaking slider for an astonishing birdie that drew roaring cheers from the gallery. Chan thanked his caddie, fellow Tamsui-bred professional Chiang Chen-hsiang, whose invaluable line readings gave him immense confidence on the greens.

Shen Wei-cheng played in the afternoon wave from the 1st tee, carding three birdies on the front nine with solid driving, iron play, and putts converted from within 6 feet. On the back nine, he added one birdie against three bogeys, noting minor chipping inconsistencies and missed birdie opportunities on two par-5s between the 13th and 15th holes, alongside a lone three-putt bogey on the 14th. He maintained a strong putting display with 24 putts overall.

Kevin Yuan carded three birdies and four bogeys, stumbling with consecutive bogeys on the final two holes. His putting cooled slightly with 29 putts, including a three-putt on the 5th hole.

The champion will earn US$240,000, the runner-up US$144,000, and third place US$84,000, with all players completing all four rounds receiving a minimum of $6,600.

The elite field comprises 125 players from 23 countries and regions competing for the championship trophy, prize money, and the Green Jacket.

The Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Golf Course) measures 6,946 yards. Though relatively short, its narrow fairways, penal roughs, challenging greenside slopes, complex grass grain, and swirling winds continue to demand absolute precision and a complete all-around game.

On the second day, traditional charity meal coupon sales reached 1,293 bowls (matching last year's total), raising NT$76,287 and bringing the two-day fundraising total to NT$166,203 for the Tamsui Cultural Foundation.

For four decades, the Taiwan Masters and Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament has constantly strived for breakthroughs in its events and services. This year, the tournament continues to provide eleven thoughtful services and exciting activities for spectators and participants.

Among them, the tournament will provide a free shuttle service on September 26 and 27 starting at 8:30 AM, running between the Tamsui MRT Station exit and the golf club. Fans can catch the shuttle at Platform 1 of the MRT station shuttle bus area, where on-site staff will be available to assist.

The Mercuries Golf Charity Walk and Golf Day will take place on September 27 between Tamsui MRT Station and the Taiwan Golf Club. The Tamkang University Dance Club has been specially invited to perform two dynamic stage shows: the first at 1:00 PM at Tamsui MRT Station Plaza 9, and the second at 4:00 PM during the tournament awards ceremony at the golf course.

The traditional charity meal coupon remains priced at NT$59, redeemable for a bowl of Mercuries Beef Noodles or Sen-Goku-Don Beef Donburi. To express gratitude to spectators, Mercuries & Associates will provide a complimentary cup of green tea (available in limited quantities while daily supplies last). All proceeds from the charity sales will be donated to the Tamsui Cultural Foundation, giving back to the community of Tamsui that has supported the Taiwan Masters for 40 years, in the hope that the tournament remains a premier annual fixture for the region.

From September 26 to 27, a shaved ice food truck will operate in the vendor area, offering shaved ice with a choice of four rich toppings—red beans, tapioca pearls, mini taro balls, coconut jelly, and grass jelly—priced at NT$80 per bowl while supplies last.

Additionally, a putting practice area will be set up in the charity booth zone from September 24 to 27, allowing visitors to experience the fun of putting on-site, complete a survey, and receive a special souvenir.

Plaques celebrating past champions from the 1st to 39th editions of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters have been installed across holes 1 through 18 at the Taiwan Golf Club, allowing spectators to learn about past winners and reflect on the tournament's rich history while enjoying the action.

Furthermore, the tournament has established six special awards. First, the C.H. Chen Memorial Award awards NT$30,000 to the lowest scorer of each round (split equally in the event of a tie). Second, the Chizuko Kuchiho Memorial Award provides NT$60,000 for the closest approach to the pin on the 18th hole (2nd shot) during rounds 3 and 4 on September 26 and 27. Third, the Course Record Bonus offers NT$300,000 provided by Taiwan Golf Club Chairman Chen Yen-hao for breaking the 18-hole course record of 63, awarded to the lowest score or the first to sign their card in the event of ties. Fourth, the Tournament Record Bonus gives NT$100,000 for breaking the 72-hole tournament record of 273, split equally in the event of ties. Fifth, the Defending Champion Bonus provides NT$200,000 for back-to-back tournament victories. Sixth, the MIZUNO Award offers NT$60,000 for the closest tee shot to the pin on the 17th hole during the final round on September 27.

Live streaming and television broadcasts will be available to keep fans instantly updated on the action. The 2026 Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament will feature live coverage on September 26 for Round 3 and September 27 for Round 4 from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Fans can watch via the TPGA Facebook page, the official Taiwan Masters website at http://www.taiwan-masters.com.tw, and YouTube by searching for the 2026 Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Cable channel Zhilin Sports on Channel 129 will broadcast live starting at 1:30 PM on both September 26 and 27, with simultaneous streaming on the Taiwan Masters Golf Tournament Facebook fan page. Fans are encouraged to tune in and cheer on the players.