Sep. 26, 2026

The third round of the 2026 Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament took place today (September 26) at the historic Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Golf Course). Taiwan's Hung Chien-yao displayed consistent form to card a 2-under-par 70, taking the solo lead at a three-round total of 7-under-par 209 and moving up from second place yesterday.

Taiwanese player Shen Wei-cheng also shot a 70, while Malaysia's Gavin Green carded a 71. Both players sit just one stroke back at a total of 210, sharing second place.

Thailand's Suteepat Prateeptienchai posted a 72 to sit alone in fourth place at 211, two strokes off the lead.

Tomorrow's final round will decide the championship trophy, the Green Jacket, and the record-breaking first-place prize of NT$7.44 million—the largest winner's share in Taiwanese golf history. Hung Chien-yao and Shen Wei-cheng will play together in the final pairing, both hunting for their maiden Asian Tour titles, while Gavin Green and Suteepat Prateeptienchai tee off in the penultimate group.

This marks the first time since 2022—when co-leader Chan Shih-chang teed off in the final group on Sunday and ultimately secured the victory—that a Taiwanese player will start the final round in the final leader group, let alone two compatriots playing together, raising high hopes for a home victory tomorrow.

Six players are tied for fifth place at 212, trailing the leader by three shots and remaining firmly in contention. This group includes Taiwanese players Chang Wei-lun (who shot 74 today) and Hsieh Ting-wei (71), alongside four international competitors: Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond, Australia's Jed Morgan, South Korea's Jeunghun Wang, and the United States' Shotaro Ban.

Six players shared the C.H. Chen Memorial Award for the day's lowest round of 69: Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond, Australia's Jed Morgan, Taiwan's Ho Yu-cheng, Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul, Australia's Wade Ormsby, and India's Karandeep Kochhar. They split the NT$30,000 daily prize, taking home NT$5,000 each.

Additionally, South Korea's Jeunghun Wang won the Chizuko Kuchiho Memorial Award for the closest approach to the pin on the 18th hole, landing his second shot 65 centimeters from the cup to claim the NT$60,000 prize.

Tomorrow's final round will feature a single-tee start from the 1st hole, with the first group teeing off at 7:00 AM and the final group at 11:20 AM. The tournament is expected to conclude around 3:30 PM, immediately followed by the awards ceremony.

The 72-hole tournament features a total prize purse of US$1.2 million (approximately NT$37.2 million), with the champion earning US$240,000 (approximately NT$7.44 million).

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, with guidance and subsidy support from the Sports Administration under the Taiwan Brand International Sports Events Program.

Playing in the final group alongside overnight leader Chang Wei-lun, Hung Chien-yao started strongly with three birdies on the front nine. However, trouble struck on the par-3 10th hole when his tee shot drifted left into a penalty area. After a penalty drop, he took five strokes for a double bogey. Though initially frustrated, his wife and caddie reminded him that the hole is notoriously tricky and urged him to stay focused. Resetting his mindset, Hung bounced back with back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15, playing the remaining holes with steady patience and pars.

Hung highlighted his crisp iron play, noting a 9-foot birdie putt on the 14th and a precise bunker recovery on the par-5 15th that left him a tap-in birdie. Heading into tomorrow, he intends to treat it as just another round, staying focused on avoiding mistakes, maintaining his composure, and executing his strategy while enjoying the chance to showcase his best golf to the fans.

The 34-year-old finished third at last week's Yeangder TPC and secured a runner-up finish at last year's Ta Phrab Phrab Open on the Asian Tour—his career-best finish on the regional circuit—while boasting 13 Taiwan Tour titles and three ADT victories since 2013.

Trailing Hung by a single stroke, Shen Wei-cheng carded three birdies and a bogey, opening his round by draining a 21-foot long-range birdie putt on the 1st hole. While his driving wasn't flawless, he avoided major errors and relied on strong iron and short-game play to save crucial pars, such as on the 16th where an awkward lie in an old divot was neutralized by an 8-iron approach close to the pin. He expressed great satisfaction with his performance.

Shen approaches tomorrow with a calm, pressure-free mindset. Having won the Bitung TPGA Championship on this very course in May of last year, he carries valuable winning experience, preferring to stay in the present moment and execute each shot rather than obsessing over the outcome.

2017 champion Gavin Green posted two birdies and a bogey, noting that his ball-striking metrics for fairways and greens in regulation were exceptionally high, though several birdie putts slipped past the cup. While green speeds and complex grain reading remain a tough test, he expressed excitement about returning to contention, embracing the familiar atmosphere of fighting for the title as if returning home.

Overnight leader Chang Wei-lun started brightly with two birdies through the first seven holes, but suffered setbacks with double bogeys on the 8th and 13th holes. Despite adding another birdie and bogey, his round derailed, dropping him into a tie for fifth three shots behind the leader. He will need a clean, low-scoring round tomorrow to chase his maiden Asian Tour victory.

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 across the 6,946-yard Taiwan Golf Club layout, where narrow fairways, thick roughs, complex grass grain, and swirling winds demand absolute precision.

On the third day, traditional charity meal coupon sales reached 1,644 bowls, raising NT$96,996 and bringing the three-day fundraising total to NT$263,199 for the Tamsui Cultural Foundation.

For four decades, the tournament has provided eleven thoughtful services and activities, including a free shuttle service on September 26 and 27 starting at 8:30 AM between the Tamsui MRT Station exit (Platform 1) and the golf club. The Mercuries Golf Charity Walk and Golf Day on September 27 will feature performances by the Tamkang University Dance Club at Tamsui MRT Station Plaza 9 at 1:00 PM and at the tournament awards ceremony at 4:00 PM. Traditional charity meal vouchers remain at NT$59 for beef noodles or donburi, accompanied by a complimentary cup of green tea from Mercuries & Associates while supplies last. Shaved ice trucks will operate in the vendor area on September 26 and 27 for NT$80 per bowl, and a putting practice area will remain open through September 27 in the charity booth zone. Commemorative champion boards celebrating winners from the 1st to 39th editions are displayed across all 18 holes and at the main entrance.

Furthermore, the tournament features six special awards: First, the C.H. Chen Memorial Award provides NT$30,000 to the lowest round scorer (split in ties). Second, the Chizuko Kuchiho Memorial Award offers NT$60,000 for the closest approach to the pin on the 18th hole during rounds 3 and 4. Third, the Course Record Bonus supplies NT$300,000 from Taiwan Golf Club Chairman Chen Yen-hao for breaking the 63-stroke course record. Fourth, the Tournament Record Bonus awards NT$100,000 for breaking the 273 tournament record. Fifth, the Defending Champion Bonus grants NT$200,000 for consecutive titles. Sixth, the MIZUNO Award gives NT$60,000 for the closest tee shot to the pin on the 17th hole during the final round.

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.