2025 YEANGDER TPC
Final Round
2025/9/21
Taiwan’s first Asian Tour event of the year — the YEANGDER TPC CHAMPIONSHIP with a total prize purse of US$1,000,000 (approximately NT$30 million) — concluded today (21st) at Linkou Golf Club with a blockbuster finale. Yeangder Group–sponsored Japanese star Kazuki Higa capped a flawless closing round of 68 (four birdies, no bogeys) to finish at 17-under 271 and come from behind to win, earning the US$180,000 winner’s check (approximately NT$5.76 million). It is his second Asian Tour title.
With the victory, Higa rises from No. 2 to No. 1 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit; he currently sits second on the JGTO Money List. This also gives him back-to-back titles following last week’s tri-sanctioned Shinhan Donghae Open, and his third win in five weeks since claiming the JGTO ISPS Handa Explosion in the Summer on August 17.
At the awards ceremony, Higa expressed heartfelt thanks: over the past five seasons, form inevitably had highs and lows, yet Yeangder Group’s unwavering support kept him inspired. He hopes to continue his strong play and capture more titles to repay that faith.
Post-round, he added: “It feels great. Since the start of the JGTO season I’ve been close many times without finishing it off. The breakthrough in August came as my putting sharpened and I felt calmer on the tee, allowing me to perform to my level — and now three wins in a row of starts.”
Higa, 30, from Okinawa, was the 2022 JGTO Money King, owns eight JGTO wins, and captured his first two ADT titles at the 2018 BTI Open (Bangladesh) and 2019 PGM UMW Championship.
Runner-up (T2 at −15/273): Taiwan’s Wang Wei-hsuan (67), American Charles Porter (71), and Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (66). Each earned US$74,333 (approximately NT$2.23 million). Wang was the best-finishing Taiwanese player and achieved his career-best YEANGDER TPC result. Wang also soared on the Asian Tour money list from No. 97 to No. 30.
Fifth (T5 at −14/274): the Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena (66) and the USA’s Shotaro Ban (68).
Seventh (T7 at −13/275): Taiwan’s 17-year-old amateur Hsieh Cheng-wei (71), alongside Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND), Viraj Madappa (IND), Travis Smith (AUS), and Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA). Hsieh set the best-ever finish by an amateur in tournament history.
Three players shared today’s low round of 66 — Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Miguel Tabuena (PHI), and Chase Koepka (USA) — to claim the Mr. Hsu Jin-der Memorial Award (US$1,000 low-round bonus). In a special gesture at the ceremony, Yeangder Group Chairman Emmet Hsu pledged that each tied low-round winner would receive US$1,000. Starting this year, the Memorial Award will grant US$1,000 to every player who posts the day’s lowest score, regardless of ties.
In the final group, Higa began one back of the 206-cm American Porter, with amateur Hsieh two behind. Through nine holes, both Higa and Porter collected two birdies (Higa at −15, still one back; Hsieh’s putter cooled and he trailed by three). The turning point came at the par-3 11th: Porter missed the green and failed to save par, while Higa rolled in a 20-footer for birdie — a two-shot swing and Higa moved one ahead. Porter answered with birdie at 12 to tie, but a mis-hit tee shot and second at 15 led to bogey, while Higa buried a 12-footer for birdie to restore a two-stroke cushion. Both parred the last three; the chasers couldn’t catch them, sealing Higa’s two-shot victory — a fitting reminder that in golf, precision beats height.
Wang Wei-hsuan: seven birdies and two bogeys. “Overall very solid, especially with the long game. With similar winds to earlier rounds, I controlled tee shots and second shots well to create chances, and converted most of them. After 13 holes I was −16 and tied with Porter and Higa, but a three-putt at 14 and a missed 3-footer at 17 cost me. A pity, but I’m happy to be the top Taiwanese and hit my ranking goal — the strong OWGR from this event really helps. Next week is the Bank of Taiwan Invitational (Asian Tour), then more Asian Tour events.”
Amateur Hsieh Cheng-wei: four birdies, one bogey. “Long game and approaches were good; putting misreads hurt — I missed several short birdie chances. I’m disappointed with the final position because it could have been better. Playing alongside top players like Higa and Porter, I wasn’t nervous — I focused on my own swing. Watching Higa’s steady tempo, putting, and decision-making was invaluable. This week — especially today — was a precious experience.”
At the ceremony, Brian Hsu, General Manager of Yeangder Recreation, congratulated Yeangder-sponsored Kazuki Higa on becoming a three-time winner in five weeks. As Yeangder holds a seat on the Asian Tour’s Asia Region Board, he noted there will be more opportunities to co-host events with the Asian Tour, giving Taiwanese players a bigger international stage.
Chairman Emmet Hsu previously served 10 years on that board and has now passed the role to Brian Hsu, continuing Yeangder’s partnership with the Asian Tour to stage even larger-scale events.
The YEANGDER TPC, inaugurated in 2010, is Yeangder Group’s 14th hosting in 15 years and the first of three Asian Tour events in Taiwan this year. It is the 13th stop of the 23-event 2025 Asian Tour season.
This 72-hole event drew 144 players from 25 countries to compete for the trophy and US$180,000 winner’s prize (approximately NT$5.76 million), with the robust purse designed to elevate the event and boost world ranking points.
Since 2010, the purse has increased from US$700,000 (2020) to US$750,000 (2023) and US$1,000,000 (2024) — maintained this year.
Co-sanctioned by Yeangder Group, TPGA, and the Asian Tour, with Linkou Golf Club as co-organizer, the championship used the South & West courses, total 7,108 yards. Narrow fairways, exacting approach targets, demanding greenside shots, and putting precision decided the outcome.
Upholding international standards, organizers provided a complimentary buffet lunch each round for all players and their family members or dedicated caddies.
