2025/7/29
The sixth stop of the 2025 CHAU-SHI Series, the Chasing Dream Open with a total prize fund of NT$3 million, teed off today (29th) at The Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club. Due to continuous heavy rain, the first round was suspended three times, and tee times were repeatedly delayed. Among the 76 players who completed their rounds, Tsai Kai-jen carded eight birdies without a bogey for an 8-under-par 64 to take the sole lead. Chen Yi-tung shot a 66 to sit in second place.
Five professional players—Li Jui-shen, Lin Yung-lung, Hung Chien-yao, Italy’s Gabriele De Barba, and Kao Teng—as well as amateur player Ke Liang-yu, all shot 67, five under par, to share third place.
This morning's round saw multiple delays due to ongoing downpours. The first group teed off as scheduled at 6:30 a.m., followed by the third group at 6:50. However, worsening rain led to a suspension at 7:05. Play was initially expected to resume at 8:20, but persistent rain forced another suspension at 8:00 and again at 9:00. It wasn't until 10:30 that the weather improved and the tournament resumed. The first afternoon group teed off at 2:30 p.m., with the last group starting at 4:30 p.m.
Due to darkness, 48 players were unable to complete their rounds. Tomorrow morning at 6:30, play will resume to complete Round 1, and Round 2 will begin at 7:30.
Despite the poor weather, soggy fairways, and wet roughs affecting distance and accuracy, many players remained aggressive in their pursuit of low scores. The greens were soft, allowing for better ball-stopping, though the moisture slowed putting speed.
Tsai Kai-jen posted eight birdies and no bogeys. He was very satisfied with his performance, citing strong iron play and excellent putting, especially from mid-range. He recorded 28 putts and hit 17 greens in regulation, missing only the par-3 3rd hole. Although he missed a few fairways, his playing partners helped locate his ball, avoiding any lost ball penalties.
His longest birdie putts were 10 feet uphill on the 2nd hole and 15 feet on the 10th hole. Other birdies came from putts ranging 2 to 9 feet. On both par-3 holes, he reached the green in one shot and saved par with 8–9-foot downhill putts.
He noted that recent local and international tournaments helped improve his driving accuracy. Combined with strong putting, it led to today’s solid performance.
Chen Yi-tung carded eight birdies and two bogeys. He admitted his driving was poor, hitting just seven fairways, but his putting was outstanding. On three par-5 holes, his drives went astray into the rough, but he recovered well, reaching the greens in three and converting birdie putts. “The putts all followed my intention,” he said. Notably, he sank 18-foot birdie putts on the 4th and 8th holes, and on the 9th hole, after driving into the left rough, he hit to the back left of the green and holed a 24-foot sidehill putt for birdie. On the 14th hole, he sank a remarkable 30-foot birdie putt.
He had 26 putts and hit 14 greens in regulation. His iron play was also above average, shooting 32 on the front nine and 34 on the back.
Hung Chien-yao and Lin Yung-lung both shot six birdies and one bogey. Lin’s iron shots were precise, often landing close to the pin. He reached two par-5 greens in two and converted birdies with two putts, while other birdies came from one-putts between 3 and 6 feet. On the par-3 7th hole, he left himself a 45-foot downhill putt and made par with two putts. He recorded 29 putts and hit 14 greens in regulation, with seven fairways hit.
Hung Chien-yao stated that due to the wet fairways, he adopted a steady and conservative approach. He had 28 putts, hit 12 fairways, and 14 greens. Highlights included a 15-foot birdie putt on the 4th and a brilliant par save on the 9th, where he recovered from the right rough, hit into a bunker, and then to within 2 feet of the pin.
Local favorite Kao Teng had a more up-and-down round, recording one eagle, five birdies, and one double bogey. On the par-5 4th, he hit a 4-iron from 210 yards to the edge of the green and holed out a 15-yard chip for eagle. However, on the par-4 13th, his tee shot went too far right and was lost, resulting in a double bogey. His putting was solid with 28 putts, and the longest birdie came from 21 feet on the 10th.
Kao noted his woods and irons performed well, and his aggressive putting approach paid off. The soft fairways made it hard to judge landing distances, but overall, he was pleased with his putting.
Li Jui-shen also had six birdies and one bogey. He said his irons were in good shape, and his driver was decent. Though he hit only eight fairways, many drives left him with 52–54 degree wedge distances. Four straight birdies came between holes 5–8 on his back nine. Starting from the 10th, his front nine was hampered by rain, and he only birdied the par-5 18th. On the back nine, he sank birdie putts of 5, 9, 12, and 3 feet on holes 1, 5, 6, and 7 respectively. On the 8th, a par-5, he chipped and putted for birdie. The par-3 7th, where he stuck it closest to the pin, was a highlight. His only bogey came from a three-putt on the 4th. He had 29 putts total.
Gabriele De Barba carded seven birdies and two bogeys. While his driving was not ideal, his irons and putting led to strong results. Among his birdies were three on par-5s and two on par-3s. His most impressive putt was a 66-footer on the 14th. He recorded 28 putts and hit 15 greens.
Amateur Ke Liang-yu, 21 and a senior at Taiwan Sport University, also posted seven birdies and two bogeys. He had several birdie putts between 5–9 feet and long-range birdies of 24–27 feet on holes 2, 13, and 18. He had 28 putts and hit 15 greens, currently the best among the amateurs.
This tournament runs from July 29 to August 1, covering 72 holes over four rounds. A total of 124 players from seven countries—118 professionals and 7 amateurs—are participating. In addition to 101 players from Taiwan, there are 16 international players from Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Thailand, and the U.S. The winner will receive NT$500,000. This is the ninth TPGA event this year and the sixth CHAU-SHI Series stop.
The event continues the tradition of combining charity with professional men’s golf, led by Lin Kuo-er of Green Forest Industrial and enthusiastically supported by The Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club’s Chairman Liao Nien-chi. Inspired by Lin’s motto, “Kindness is contagious, and good deeds spread,” the charitable aspect remains strong under the theme “Unceasing Kindness, Continuous Charity.”
The tournament is title-sponsored by Mercuries Group Honorary Chairman Wong Chau-shi. The Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club is the naming host for this stop, with Green Forest Industrial Co., Ltd. as a key sponsor and TPGA as the main organizer.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club has hosted a men’s professional event since it resumed after a 23-year gap (previously in 1998 and 1999). The club also hosted 17 editions of the TLPGA Ladies Open.
The late Chairman Liao Wan-ying had long supported professional golf. Since 2022, the club has once again partnered with TPGA to contribute to the sport’s development.
Green Forest’s Lin Kuo-er has now sponsored this charitable platform for six straight years, bringing the spirit of charity from the women’s event into this men’s competition.
All charitable donations will go to six organizations:
1.Catholic Shi Guang Education and Nursing Institute of Hsinchu County Foundation
2.Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association
3.JuJu Mama Children’s Educational Care Association
4.Yu Cheng Social Welfare Foundation
5.Taiwan Xin Fuli Emotional Education Promotion Association
6.Shan Le Family Social Welfare Foundation of Taipei City(Expanded from four organizations last year.)
The CHAU-SHI Series was initiated by Mercuries Group Honorary Chairman Wong Chau-shi. In 2021, with local events and prize funds reduced due to the pandemic, he personally sponsored six tournaments with NT$2 million each, totaling NT$12 million, laying the foundation for that year’s TPGA schedule. Now in its fifth year, the CHAU-SHI Series includes 10 events with NT$1.5 million in sponsorship per event, totaling NT$15 million and contributing to 20 tournaments on this year’s tour.
The CHAU-SHI Series also offers a special bonus for the season money leader—an additional NT$200,000 provided by HONLIN CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. Chairman Lin Kuo-er, along with a guaranteed spot in next year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
After two rounds, the top 50 players by total score will advance to the final two rounds. The champion earns NT$500,000, and the runner-up NT$250,000.
This year’s tournament is played on a 7,026-yard course. The greens feature significant undulation, making putting the key to victory.
Special prizes include:
Hole-in-One Awards:
Holes 3, 7, 12, and 17 – NT$20,000 and sponsored gifts from The Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club.
Hole 12 – NT$50,000 from SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep.
Hole 17 – Bell & Ross watch valued at NT$168,000, provided by Tung Hui Watch Company, awarded to the first professional to score a hole-in-one during the four official rounds.
Da-An Group offers one night in the Presidential Suite at Lishan Guesthouse, valid on any day, awarded without hole or player restrictions.
Course Record Bonus:
NT$20,000 for breaking the 62-stroke record set by Lu Wei-chih (sponsored by The Royal Kuan-Shi Golf Club).
Low Round Bonuses:
NT$10,000 each for the lowest score in Rounds 3 and 4 (sponsored by SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep). If tied, the prize is split.
Rounds 1 and 2 are open to spectators. Rounds 3 and 4 are closed. Spectators must register at the club counter and pay a NT$30 facilities fee to obtain a viewing pass. Walking only—no carts or shuttles allowed. For safety, children under 6 and pets are not permitted on course.
The final two rounds will be edited into 60-minute highlight programs, scheduled for rebroadcast at 4:00 p.m. on August 12 and 13. Platforms include TPGA’s official Facebook page, Videoland Sports, YouTube, the TPGA website, Golfourit LINE channel, LINE Today, and Yahoo Sports.
