Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament

Final Round

Sep. 27, 2026

The final round of the 2026 Taiwan Masters and the 40th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament concluded today (September 27) at the historic Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Golf Course) following a heart-pounding, three-hole climax. Overnight leader Hung Chien-yao suffered consecutive bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes to fall into a tie for the lead, but he delivered a clutch 21-foot birdie putt on the dramatic 18th hole. Amidst roaring cheers from the gallery, he secured a thrilling one-stroke victory, claimed his maiden Asian Tour title and the coveted Green Jacket, and captured the largest winner's share in Taiwanese golf history—US$240,000 (approximately NT$7.44 million). He carded a 1-under-par 71 for a four-round total of 8-under-par 280.

This marks Hung's first Asian Tour victory in 14 years since joining the tour in 2013, and the first time a Taiwanese player has won the tournament since Chan Shih-chang lifted the trophy at the 36th edition in 2022. With this victory, Hung earns a two-year exemption on the Asian Tour and climbs from 19th to 6th on the season-long Order of Merit.

During the awards ceremony, Hung expressed his profound emotion: "Winning my first Asian Tour title here in Taiwan at this prestigious event is deeply meaningful and exciting. Both Mr. Wong and President Chen expressed their wish before the tournament to keep the trophy in Taiwan—and I did it!"

Australia's Wade Ormsby fired the day's low round of 67 to finish alone in second place at 7-under-par 281, earning US$144,000.

South Korea's Jeunghun Wang and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond both shot 71s, Suteepat Prateeptienchai carded a 72, and Malaysia's Gavin Green posted a 73. All four players finished tied for third at 283.

Taiwan's Hsieh Ting-wei shot a 72 to tie for seventh at 284 alongside two international competitors.

Australia's Wade Ormsby and Denzel Ieremia shared the C.H. Chen Memorial Award for the day's lowest round of 67, splitting the NT$30,000 daily prize to take home NT$15,000 each.

Thailand's Ratchanon Chantananuwat won the Chizuko Kuchiho Memorial Award for the closest approach to the pin on the 18th hole, placing his second shot 57 centimeters from the cup to claim the NT$60,000 prize.

Additionally, Australia's Jack Thompson won the MIZUNO Award for the closest tee shot to the pin on the 17th hole, landing 226 centimeters away to secure NT$60,000.

The 72-hole tournament featured a record-breaking 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 was 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.

Mercuries Golf Foundation Chairman Wong Chau-shi addressed the attendees: "Thank you all for taking the time to join us at the venue and witness this momentous 40th anniversary of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Over these long 40 years, you, I, and everyone involved have jointly written the history of the tournament, creating its unique style and irreplaceable tradition. We must cherish this and pass it down through generations. For me personally, having the opportunity to found this tournament has been a rare life experience, and reaching its 40th anniversary is a true blessing that I will always treasure. However, after 40 years, this may be the appropriate time for me to step down as Foundation Chairman. While this may sound sudden, it is a decision made after careful deliberation. Mercuries Group patriarch and Chairman Chen Hsiang-li has kindly agreed that even though I am stepping down, the group will continue its full support for the Taiwan Masters as usual. Under the leadership of the younger generation with fresh perspectives, we anticipate even more breakthrough developments for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which is supported by all the people of Taiwan!"

Following his thrilling victory, Hung Chien-yao expressed deep gratitude to Yeangder Group Chairman Emmet Hsu, Formosa Taffeta for their long-standing support, his sponsors Elite Medical and All Ring Tech, his family, his wife, and his father-in-law. He also thanked his godfather, Chairman Chang, for coming to the course over the weekend to support him, along with everyone who has helped him along the way.

The 34-year-old captured his 14th career victory today, adding to his win at the Ambassador ADT earlier this year, a third-place finish at last week's Yeangder TPC, and a runner-up finish at last year's Ta Phrab Open. He boasts 13 Taiwan Tour titles, including three ADT victories, since 2013.

Starting the final round with a one-stroke lead alongside Shen Wei-cheng in the final pairing, Hung played a solid front nine with three birdies and a bogey for a 34, maintaining a two-shot cushion at 9-under-par over Gavin Green. Although a wayward drive on the 10th led to a bogey, he quickly stabilized and birdied the 14th to restore his two-shot advantage. However, trouble struck on the par-4 16th when his third shot from a chip came in too strong, leaving a 12-foot par putt that he missed, resulting in a bogey that narrowed his lead to just one over the finished Wade Ormsby. On the par-3 17th, he hit the green in one but three-putted for another bogey, dropping to 7-under and drawing level with Ormsby.

Standing on the par-4 18th tee, Hung drove successfully and landed his second shot 21 feet from the pin. As the gallery held its collective breath, Hung calmly drained the birdie putt to seal the championship. The course erupted into thunderous applause and cheers as Hung roared in celebration, embraced his wife and caddie, and shared the unforgettable moment of victory.

Hung revealed that after back-to-back bogeys erased his lead, emotional frustration was inevitable, but his wife and caddie provided timely mental encouragement. "I told myself that if I missed this final putt, we'd at least head to a playoff and fight again, but if I made it, we'd win. So I putted aggressively, and it went in. This is the best putt of my career, and the most memorable one under the immense weight of everyone's expectations!"

Laughing after the round, Hung noted that having repeatedly won the Mercuries Taiwan-sponsored Bitung TPGA Championship on this very course, he was often affectionately called the "Bitung King," yet joked about why he could never seem to conquer the Taiwan Masters held at the same venue. "Now that I've finally won it, I suppose I can call myself the 'Mercuries King'!"

He expressed special thanks to his wife for serving as his caddie through two consecutive weeks of major Asian Tour events, yielding a third-place finish at the Yeangder TPC last week and a championship victory today.

Looking ahead, Hung will fly to Japan on Monday to compete in the Nagoya Asian Games. He expressed excitement about representing Chinese Taipei alongside fellow national team members Wang Wei-hsuan and Chan Shih-chang, taking this major championship momentum to the Asian Games in pursuit of medals.

The 72-hole tournament featured a record-breaking total prize purse of US$1.2 million, with the champion earning US$240,000.

On the final day, traditional charity meal coupon sales reached 2,015 bowls, raising NT$118,885 and bringing the four-day fundraising total to NT$382,084. All proceeds will be donated to the Tamsui Cultural Foundation, with Mercuries Group Chairman Chen Hsiang-li presenting the donation on behalf of the organizers, accepted by Tamsui Cultural Foundation Chairman Hsu Hui-ming.