2025/9/25

The Asian Tour event “2025 Taiwan Masters and the 39th Mercuries Golf Invitational Tournament,” with a total prize fund of US$1 million (approximately NT$32 million), officially teed off today (September 25) at the century-old Taiwan Golf Club. Battling gusty winds, Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai displayed solid driving and putting accuracy, carding a five-under-par 67 to take the sole lead.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond shot a four-under-par 68 to hold solo second place. Japan’s Yuta Yoshikuwa and America’s George Kneiser each posted 70 to share third place.

Australia’s Scott Hend, Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, and France’s Joel Stalter all carded 71, sitting tied for fifth.

Five Taiwanese players posted 72, including Tsai Shang-kai, Tsai Tsung-yu, Chen Yi-tung, Hung Chao-hsin, and Hsieh Ting-wei, along with six other international players. They are tied for ninth and currently the best-ranked Taiwanese players after the first round.

Around 10 a.m., strong winds swept across the course. Many players who scored well on the front nine lost strokes on the back nine due to the difficult and unpredictable wind. However, Atiruj, who teed off at 7:20 a.m., executed precise tee shots, approach shots, and putts, staying largely unaffected. He made four birdies and one bogey for a 33 on the front nine, then followed with an eagle and a birdie on the back nine, though he bogeyed the 18th hole for 34.

He said that although he hit only three fairways off the tee, none of his misses landed in difficult spots. His second shots and putting were sharp, and he capitalized on birdie opportunities, including scoring on all four par-5 holes. Even when he made mistakes, he managed to save par successfully, totaling 27 putts for the round.

He also shared his strategy for handling the wind. Since the gusts came in intervals, he waited patiently when facing a strong wind, especially on short putts, striking only when the wind eased. This often led to good results.

From holes 5 to 8, he recorded four consecutive birdies. On the 5th, he sank a 15-foot putt; on the par-5 6th and 7th, he hit his tee shots well, placed his second shots on the fairway, and chipped close to the hole to secure back-to-back birdies. On the 8th, under strong winds, he holed a 12-foot birdie putt. On the par-5 15th, despite the continued winds, he hit a strong approach and was fortunate to make an eagle.

Jazz, playing in the afternoon, recorded six birdies and two bogeys. After 16 holes, he was tied with Atiruj at five-under but dropped a shot on the par-3 17th, finishing one behind in solo second. He said afterward that he felt very lucky to have played so well today.

He explained that the wind made the course very difficult. Moreover, he admitted that his form this year had not been great, with few top-10 finishes and some missed cuts. Coming to Taiwan, his confidence was low. His swings were inconsistent today, but he still managed a four-under-par round, something he “doesn’t know how [he] achieved.” After an early bogey at the 3rd hole, he rallied with six birdies, including four straight from holes 11–16. The 29-year-old, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, currently sits 17th on the latest Asian Tour money list.

George Kneiser, in the last morning group that teed off at 8:00, finished with four birdies and two bogeys. His short game was sharp, with chip-ins for birdies on both the 12th and 18th holes. He said afterward that the course was very tough, with not only strong winds but also fast and complex greens. “Making pars already feels like a good score,” he noted.

The 27-year-old has competed on the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Canada, and the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. This is his first year on the Asian Tour and his debut appearance in Taiwan.

Japan’s Yuta Yoshikuwa scored three birdies and one bogey. He said his iron shots, short game, chips, and putting were all solid, with just 24 putts overall. He played bogey-free through 17 holes but failed to reach the green on his second shot at the 9th hole, his last of the day, leading to his only bogey. His highlight was at the par-3 2nd hole, where, despite overshooting the green, he chipped in from 10 yards to save par and make birdie.

He also mentioned that the course conditions were highly challenging, with narrow fairways, strong winds, and fast greens. This year is his first on the Taiwan Tour after passing the qualifying school, and he currently ranks 43rd on the money list. Last week he made his Asian Tour debut at the YEANGDER TPC Championship but missed the cut. This week marks his first Taiwan Masters appearance, and he is eager to enjoy the big-event atmosphere again.

The tournament runs from September 25 to September 28 with four rounds of 72 holes. This year’s champion will earn US$200,000 (approximately NT$6.4 million), the highest prize for a men’s professional event in Taiwan.

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

Tomorrow’s second round will again feature morning and afternoon waves, starting simultaneously from the 1st and 10th tees. The first morning group will tee off at 6:20 a.m., the last at 8:05 a.m.; the afternoon wave will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the last group at 12:45 p.m.

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. There are 85 international players and 44 from Taiwan, including seven amateurs (not eligible for prize money), all competing for the championship trophy, prize purse, and the green jacket.

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 on this year’s Asian Tour, attracting elite players to 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 who complete four rounds will receive at least US$2,500.

This year, the traditional charity sale of Mercuries Taiwan Masters meal coupons remains at NT$59. On the opening day, a total of 1,480 bowls of beef noodles were sold, raising NT$87,320.

The host venue, Taiwan Golf Club (Old Tamsui Course), measures 6,963 yards. Though not long, its narrow fairways, thick rough, and tricky green surrounds and grass grain make tee shots, approaches, and putting challenging. Players must showcase all-around skills to score well, with weather conditions adding another layer of difficulty.

For 39 years, the Taiwan Masters and Mercuries Invitational has continuously pursued innovation in its events. This year, the tournament continues to provide 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 remains 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). Proceeds will be donated to the Tamsui Cultural Foundation, giving back to the community that has supported the Taiwan Masters for 39 years, with hopes of making it a signature annual event.

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 September 27 and 28 (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 first to submit the scorecard.

Tournament Record Award – NT$100,000 for breaking the Taiwan Masters 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!