2025 CHAU-SHI Series - GIANT Open
Round 4
2025/9/13
The eighth stop of the 2025 CHAU-SHI Series, the GIANT Open, concluded today (September 13) at Donghua Elite Golf Club. Taiwanese professional Shapiyate Mako claimed his first career Taiwan Tour title after defeating Lu Wei-chih in a sudden-death playoff. The two players tied at 15-under-par 273 after 72 holes of regulation. On the first extra hole, Mako holed a decisive 15-foot birdie putt against Lu’s par to secure victory and the NT$500,000 champion’s prize. Lu finished runner-up, earning NT$250,000.
This marks Mako’s first win in a full four-round Taiwan Tour event, following his maiden professional victory at the ThreeBond Father’s Day Challenge in May 2022.
Chen Yu-yu fired the day’s lowest round, a 67, to claim the NT$10,000 fourth-round low-score bonus sponsored by SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep. He finished tied for 23rd at 284.
Japan’s Shori Ishizuka shot 69, finishing third at 14-under 274. Hung Chien-yao and Shen Wei-cheng posted 72s, ending fourth (276) and fifth (277) respectively. Japan’s Nobuaki Oda (68) and Chan Chia-han (70) tied for sixth at 278, with Chan recording his career-best Taiwan Tour finish.
Mako credited his victory to a blend of fortune and perseverance, even humorously referencing the Taiwanese saying about marriage and children bringing good luck—his newborn son less than a month old seemingly delivering the boost. He thanked sponsors LC Chang Shu, Fang Yuan Golf, his parents, coach, and especially his wife for her support.
Mako began golf at age six under coach Zhao Mu-tao, trained at Taipei Golf Club from fifth grade, turned professional in February 2022, and is a Taipei City University graduate. Known for his powerful game, he averages 330 yards off the tee and, at 24 years old, demonstrated balanced skills and maturity to capture his first Taiwan Tour crown.
The final round began with Mako and Lu tied at 15-under. On the front nine, Lu played steady golf with nine straight pars for a 36, while Mako’s roller-coaster start included an eagle and a birdie in the opening three holes for a three-shot lead, but a bogey and a double bogey later brought him back to 36, leaving both tied at the turn.
On the back nine, Lu faltered with a double bogey despite two birdies, while Mako held steady with nine pars for another 36. Both finished regulation with even-par 72s, forcing a playoff.
On the 18th in regulation, Mako reached the green with his second shot, leaving a 12-footer, while Lu found the right fringe. Lu’s third left him seven feet past the hole. Mako two-putted for par, as did Lu, sending the match into extra holes.
In the playoff, both players again found the green. Lu left a 21-foot uphill birdie attempt short and settled for par, while Mako seized the moment with a 15-foot birdie putt to clinch victory. Notably, his first professional win at the Father’s Day Challenge three years ago also came via a playoff.
Afterward, Mako acknowledged that his irons and putting were below standard today, with mistakes off the tee and on the greens. However, he credited his mental growth over the past three years for the victory: “My strategy is calmer and more mature than before. Execution is also more reliable.”
He also noted the greater challenge of winning on the Taiwan Tour compared to the Challenge Tour: “Four rounds allow more time for corrections, but they also demand higher levels of endurance and mental toughness.”
With his newborn at home, Mako stated his near-term focus remains on the Taiwan Tour, with his next target being a strong showing at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, aiming to advance past the cut after falling short in his first three attempts.
This tournament featured 117 players from five countries, including 113 professionals and four amateurs. It marked the second consecutive year of title sponsorship by Jia-Yun Heavy Machinery Engineering Co.
The event was made possible through full title sponsorship from Wong Chau-shi, Honorary Chairman of the Mercuries Group, with Jia-Yun Heavy Machinery Engineering Co. as the event-level sponsor, the PGA of Taiwan (TPGA) as the organizer, and Donghua Elite Golf Club as co-organizer.
The CHAU-SHI Series has established a special prize for the season’s money leader: NT$250,000 from Lin Kuo-er, Chairman of HONLIN CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD, plus an exemption into the 2026 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Founded in 2013, Jia-Yun Heavy Machinery Engineering Co. has grown under Chairman Chang Lin-kuei into a 160-employee team with an average age under 35, specializing in heavy transport and hoisting solutions for oversized and specialized industrial equipment. Their work spans Taiwan’s science parks, petrochemical, technology, power, wind, and offshore energy sectors, supporting industrial and green energy development.
Jia-Yun is also active in corporate social responsibility, engaging in beach cleanups, childcare support, and youth sports sponsorships, such as elementary school badminton teams.
The CHAU-SHI Series was launched by Wong Chau-shi in 2021 during the pandemic, personally funding six events to keep the Taiwan Tour alive. Since then, the series has been held annually with his title sponsorship. Now in its fifth year, the series consists of ten tournaments this season, each with NT$1.5 million in prize funding, bringing the Taiwan Tour schedule to 20 events overall.
The final two rounds of the GIANT Open will be rebroadcast as 60-minute highlight programs on September 23 and 24 at 4:00 p.m. Fans can watch via the TPGA Facebook page, ELTA Sports, and YouTube, with tournament news also available on the TPGA official website, LINE Golfourit, LINE Today, and Yahoo Sports.
