2025/9/24

The 2025 Taiwan Masters and the 39th Mercuries Taiwan Masters Invitational, part of the Asian Tour, will be held from September 25 to September 28 at the century-old Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Course), featuring four rounds of 72 holes. This year’s total purse remains at US$1 million (approximately NT$32 million), with the champion’s prize set at US$200,000 (approximately NT$6.4 million), the highest among Taiwan men’s professional tournaments. Last year’s champion, Jbe Kruger from South Africa, will return to defend his title.

This year’s tournament is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), organized by the Taiwan Golf Club, with Mercuries Life Insurance Co., Ltd. and Mercuries Investment Holding Co., Ltd. as the title sponsors.

Today, the Pro-Am tournament was held at the Taiwan Golf Club, with 52 professional players paired with more than 100 amateurs from society, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning session, Taiwan professional Tsai Tsung-yu teamed up with amateurs Chen Hung-jui, Lin Chin-yuan, and Chen Yen-fu to win the title with a 19-under-par 53. In the afternoon, Taiwan professional Liu Yu-jui joined amateurs Fu Chih-chen and Liao Chih-yuan to clinch the title with a 21-under-par 51.

Tomorrow, in the opening round, players will tee off in morning and afternoon waves, starting simultaneously from the 1st and 10th holes. The first group in the morning wave will tee off at 6:20 a.m., with the final group at 8:05 a.m. The first group in the afternoon wave will tee off at 11:00 a.m., and the final group at 12:45 p.m.

The Taiwan Masters, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, was once impacted by the global pandemic, as foreign players were unable to participate due to Taiwan’s entry quarantine measures. During 2020 and 2021, the tournament was held as a Taiwan Tour event with total purses of NT$12 million and NT$15 million, respectively, still remaining the largest prize fund of the Taiwan Tour during those two years. The event returned to the Asian Tour in 2022 and has continued since.

This year’s field consists of 129 players from 25 countries, including Argentina, Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, the United States, and Chinese Taipei. Among them are 85 international players and 44 from Taiwan, including seven amateurs (amateurs are not eligible for prize money). They will all compete for the championship trophy, prize money, and the green jacket.

Wong Chau-shi, Chairman of the Taiwan Masters Foundation, stated that the 39th edition of the Taiwan Masters not only provides us with an excellent opportunity to reflect on the past 38 years of the tournament, but also opens a new chapter as we move toward the 40th edition. Of course, our passion for making each year better than the last remains unchanged.

With the long-term sponsorship of Mercuries Enterprises, our ideals have been realized. Of course, there are also countless devoted supporters, including loving “Par” members and all the volunteers, who have made this event even greater. I wish all the players the best of luck and hope that all the fans fully enjoy the tournament!

Asian Tour CEO Cho Minn Thant stated that this week marks the 39th edition of the tournament and the 23rd time it has been sanctioned by the Asian Tour. We look forward to witnessing another spectacular event and hope that good weather will accompany the players as they enjoy bright and clear golfing moments.

As always, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Wong Chau-shi, Chairman of the Taiwan Masters Golf Foundation, for his long-standing efforts in hosting such a successful event.

Every member of the Asian Tour sincerely appreciates the hard work and dedication of you and your team. We recognize that winning the Mercuries Taiwan Masters is not only an honor but also a truly priceless achievement.

Since its establishment in 1987, this year marks the 39th edition of the Taiwan Masters, one of the most prestigious, highest-paying, and top-level men’s professional golf tournaments in Taiwan. It is also the 14th stop of this year’s Asian Tour, attracting the Tour’s finest players to compete in Taiwan. After the first two rounds, the top 50 players will advance to the weekend rounds. The champion will receive US$200,000, the runner-up US$120,000, third place US$70,000, and all players completing four rounds will receive at least US$2,500.

Qualification for the tournament includes the past nine champions, last year’s top 10 finishers, the top 35 players from last year’s Taiwan Tour Order of Merit, and international players ranked within the top 65 of the Asian Tour, ensuring that the field consists of top talents from across the globe, all vying for the prestigious trophy and top prize.

This year’s field includes six past champions: last year’s champion Jbe Kruger from South Africa; South Africa’s Jaco Ahlers, the 2024 winner; Chan Shih-chang, the 2022 winner; Wang Wei-hsuan, the 2020 champion; Suradit Yongcharoenchai from Thailand, the 2019 champion; and Taiwan’s Lu Wei-chih, who won in 2005, 2011, and 2016, and now seeks a fourth title. Other past champions include Australia’s Scott Hend (2013) and England’s Steve Lewton (2014), both returning to challenge for a second crown.

Amateur golfer Hsieh Cheng-wei, who impressed with a tied 7th finish last week at the Asian Tour’s YEANGDER TPC Championship, has also been invited. Rising talent Wang Wei-hsuan, who tied for second place last week at the YEANGDER TPC Championship—the best finish among Taiwanese players—currently ranks 30th on the Asian Tour’s money list, the best among Taiwanese, and will seek his second Taiwan Masters title this week.

Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who became the first foreign player to win the Taiwan Tour money title last year, currently ranks 12th on the Asian Tour money list. After finishing tied 7th at last week’s YEANGDER TPC Championship, he returns this week aiming for his fourth Asian Tour victory. Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai became the youngest champion in tournament history at age 19 in 2019, earning his first Asian Tour victory.

Other international contenders are not to be underestimated. In addition to five past champions seeking another title, American giant Charles Porter, standing 206 cm tall, who tied for second place at last week’s YEANGDER TPC Championship, will be one to watch. Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines, ranked 19th on the Asian Tour money list, finished third last week. Danthai Boonma of Thailand, currently ranked 6th, is the highest-ranked player in the field, joined by Australia’s Travis Smyth (ranked 8th) and Ryan Peake (ranked 10th), all strong contenders.

Taiwanese players, in addition to former champions Chan Shih-chang and Wang Wei-hsuan, include Lee Chieh-po, who has gained valuable international experience on the LIV Golf League over the past half year and finished 47th on the season money list. He returns home to pursue his second Asian Tour win and first Taiwan Masters title. Rising Taiwanese talents such as Chang Wei-lun, Hung Chien-yao, Liu Yong-hua, and local player Yeh Yu-chen are also eager to capture their maiden Asian Tour victory.

The host venue, Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Course), measures only 6,963 yards, but its narrow fairways, thick rough, and tricky greenside lies make tee shots, approaches, and putting highly demanding. Players will need all-around skills to score well, with weather conditions adding further challenges to the competition.

For 39 years, the Taiwan Masters and Mercuries Invitational has consistently sought innovation in its events. This year, the tournament continues to offer eight thoughtful services and exciting activities (see attachment for details).

Among them, shuttle bus services will be provided on September 27–28, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day from Tamsui MRT Station, with free buses shuttling fans between the station and the course. Fans can board at Platform 1 of the shuttle bus terminal to the right of the MRT station exit, with staff on-site to provide guidance.

The Mercuries Golf Walkathon will also be held on September 28, from Tamsui MRT Station to the Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Course).

This year’s charity sale of Mercuries Taiwan Masters meal coupons will remain at NT$59, redeemable for either a “Mercuries Beef Noodle” or a “Fresh Five Beef Bowl.” To thank fans, Mercuries Investment Holding will also offer a free 350ml bottle of SOUR3 Chu-Hi (assorted fruit, guava-orange, or plum flavors) or bottled water (limited quantities available). All charity proceeds will be donated to the Tamsui Cultural Foundation to give back to the Tamsui community that has supported the Taiwan Masters for 39 years, with hopes of making it a signature annual event of the town.

Additionally, six special awards will be presented this year:

Chen Ho-tung Memorial Award – NT$30,000 to the player with the lowest single-round score (shared if tied).

Hisakata Chizuko Memorial Award – NT$60,000 for the nearest-to-the-pin on Hole 18, awarded on October 5 and 6 (Rounds 3 and 4) to the player whose second shot is closest.

Course Record Award – NT$300,000 from Taiwan Golf Club Chairman Chen Yen-hao to any player who breaks the course record of 63 at Tamsui. In case of multiple players, the lowest scorer wins; ties go to the player who submits the scorecard first.

Tournament Record Award – NT$100,000 for breaking the tournament record of 273 strokes. Shared if tied.

Back-to-Back Champion Award – NT$200,000 to any player who wins consecutive Mercuries Taiwan Masters titles.

MIZUNO Award – NT$60,000 for the nearest-to-the-pin on Hole 17, awarded on September 28 (Round 4) to the player whose tee shot is closest.

The tournament will also provide live coverage via online and television broadcast, allowing fans to follow the action in real time. The third round (September 27) and final round (September 28) will be streamed live from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on TPGA Facebook, the Taiwan Masters official website (http://www.taiwan-masters.com.tw), YouTube (search “2025 Mercuries Taiwan Masters Invitational”), and Yahoo Sports. Cable channel Videoland Sports 129 will also broadcast live:
September 27 – from 1:00 p.m.
September 28 – from 1:00 p.m.
The official Facebook fan page “Taiwan Masters Golf Tournament” will also stream simultaneously.

We welcome all golf fans to tune in and cheer for the players!