2025 CHAU-SHI Series – Wealthy Family Open
Round 1 Press Release
2025/09/30
The ninth leg of the 2025 CHAU-SHI Series – Wealthy Family Open, offering a total purse of NT$3.5 million, teed off today (30th) at Ta Kang Shan Golf Club in Kaohsiung. Chen Yi-tung and Tsai Kai-jen both fired bogey-free rounds of 66 with six birdies apiece to share the opening-round lead, while Hsu Yu-cheng sits in third place with a 67. Ho Yu-cheng, Lin Yung-lung, and Japan’s Shunichiro Morioka each shot 68 to tie for fourth. Wen Chen-hsiang, Chang Chien Ko-yen, Shapiyate Mako, and Chan Chia-han all carded 69 to share seventh place. Today’s weather in Tienliao District was hot and humid, with the heat index soaring to 35–36°C, providing a true test of endurance for the players.
This event also marks the 17th stop of the Taiwan Tour. To intensify competition, the organizers have doubled the champion’s prize from NT$500,000 to NT$1,000,000. The tournament runs from September 30 to October 3 over four rounds (72 holes), followed by the Pro-Am on October 4. The title sponsor is Chairman Wong Chau-shi, with BORN TO WIN Golf Team (Wealthy Family Golf Team) serving as the presenting sponsor. The event is sanctioned by The PGA of Taiwan (TPGA) and co-hosted by Ta Kang Shan Golf Club. This marks the second consecutive year that BORN TO WIN Golf Team has served as the presenting sponsor of a TPGA Taiwan Tour event—making it the first and only golf team in TPGA history to title sponsor a professional tournament since last year.
Chen Yi-tung continued his solid form from last week’s Taiwan Masters (Mercuries Cup). His iron and putting performance were in sync, leading to a bogey-free six-under round. His driving accuracy was also notably improved from last week. Starting from the 10th hole, he birdied both par-5s on 14 and 17, added 10-foot and 7-foot birdies at holes 11 and 15, then picked up two more on the front nine at the par-5 2nd and par-4 6th (10-foot putt). He had 26 putts, hit 13 greens, and 7 fairways. He said that even when he missed fairways, the ball stayed near the rough edge without major errors. His short game was sharper than last week, allowing better control of distance and roll to save pars. Three short birdie putts within 7 feet narrowly missed due to slower greens; otherwise, his score might have been even lower. Chen finished T13 at last week’s 39th Taiwan Masters.
Tsai Kai-jen’s round featured birdies on all four par-5 holes—three of which came from chip-and-putt conversions. His longest was a 36-foot birdie putt at the 2nd, while at the 5th, he holed a chip from 6 yards off the fringe. He also made birdies on the par-3 3rd (6-foot downhill) and par-4 15th (3-foot uphill). He commented afterward that his long irons were inconsistent, but strong chipping and putting saved several pars. He noted that the green speed and slopes required extra focus, and the heat made managing stamina and concentration essential.
Hsu Yu-cheng recorded seven birdies and two bogeys, crediting precise chipping and putting for his solid 67. He birdied all three par-5s with chip-and-putt conversions. On the par-3 8th, he sank a 30-foot birdie (the day’s longest), and on the 16th, a short 3-footer. He hit 11 fairways and took 26 putts, saying the slower greens increased the challenge, and the heat further tested endurance.
Ho Yu-cheng shot a clean four-under with four birdies, including two on par-5s. His highlight came on the par-5 14th, where after driving into the trees, he punched out and reached the green in two, leaving a 12-foot eagle chance that narrowly missed—tapping in for birdie. He added 6-foot and 9-foot birdies at holes 1 and 15. He said his driving was decent (10 fairways hit), though iron accuracy could improve. His chipping saved several pars, finishing with 27 putts. After earlier struggles this season with driving accuracy, he’s recently adjusted swing details and seen improvement.
Lin Yung-lung had an up-and-down day, carding one eagle, six birdies, and four bogeys. His irons were sharp, consistently landing close, and his putting strong with 27 total putts. On the par-5 14th (485 yards), his tee shot bounced twice along the cart path and ended 100 yards from the pin. He stuck his approach to 6 feet and holed it for eagle. Two of his birdies came on long putts: 21 feet at the par-5 2nd and 18 feet at the par-3 3rd. The rest were all within 9 feet. However, four consecutive bogeys from holes 7–10 nearly derailed his round—he was even-par through 13 but rebounded with four birdies over the closing five holes.
Japan’s Shunichiro Morioka posted seven birdies and three bogeys, highlighted by excellent putting (25 putts) and precise irons (12 greens hit). He also found 11 fairways. All three of his par-5 birdies came from chip-and-putt conversions within 3 feet. His longest birdie was a 33-footer on the 18th, and he added a 16-footer at the 9th.
The Wealthy Family Open originally offered NT$3 million, but BORN TO WIN Golf Team increased the purse by NT$500,000 last year to NT$3.5 million. The champion’s prize rose from NT$500,000 to NT$650,000, and this year’s additional NT$500,000 boost brought the winner’s share to NT$1,000,000, heightening the race for the title. Founded just two years ago, BORN TO WIN Golf Team—named to reflect the NT$1 million membership—was established by Chairman Hung Tien-ming, who envisions long-term development. Members from across Taiwan share a commitment to charity, having donated ambulances and supported numerous social causes. In 2023, under the introduction of Banji Flower Golf Club GM Cheng Po-yuan, Hung learned that private organizations could sponsor professional events. Given his long-standing philanthropic efforts, he decided to have the team title-sponsor a TPGA tournament starting last year.
This year’s field features 111 players from five countries—Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan—including 102 Taiwanese players (17 amateurs) and nine international entrants. After the first two rounds, the top 50 players (and ties) will advance to the final two rounds. The runner-up earns NT$250,000, and third place NT$160,000. For the Pro-Am, each VIP guest will receive a gift set worth NT$5,800. During the evening banquet, there will be a NT$500,000 Mai Ta Kang cash coupon raffle, open to both guests and players. Additional prizes include BORN TO WIN Pro V1x balls and rangefinders.
The CHAU-SHI Series was founded by Wong Chau-shi, Honorary Chairman of Mercuries Group and one of its original founders. In 2021, when the Taiwan Tour was struggling under the pandemic with reduced events and prize funds, Chairman Wong personally contributed NT$1.2 million across six tournaments (NT$2 million each), rebuilding the foundation of the Tour. This year marks the fifth consecutive season the CHAU-SHI Series continues under his title sponsorship, with each event backed by NT$1.5 million. The total number of tournaments has grown from 8 to 10, contributing NT$15 million in sponsorship and helping the Taiwan Tour expand to 20 events this season. The CHAU-SHI Series also offers a special Order of Merit Champion Bonus, with HONLIN CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. Chairwoman Lin Kuo-erh awarding an additional NT$250,000 and an exemption into the 2026 Taiwan Masters (Mercuries Cup).
The field includes Taiwan’s elite, featuring the top 60 players from last year’s money list, the top five from the ThreeBond Challenge Tour, and the top 40 in the fifth 2025 Reranking as of the Taiwan Masters. Notable contenders include 2025 TPGA winners Su Chin-hung, Shen Wei-cheng, Huang Yi-tseng, and Shapiyate Mako, as well as last year’s runner-up Huang Hsiang-hao, fifth-place Hung Chien-yao, and last week’s Taiwan Masters standouts Hung Chao-hsin (T9) and Chen Yi-tung (T13).
Ta Kang Shan Golf Club measures 7,191 yards, par 72. Its thick rough and challenging greens will test players’ patience and precision throughout the week.
Special Awards:
Hole-in-One Prizes: Holes 3, 8, 13, and 16 — NT$30,000 each, provided by the club.
Hole 3: SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep, NT$50,000 bonus
Hole 16: Tung Hui Watch Co. offers an ORIS watch (NT$122,800 value) to the first professional achieving an ace during official rounds.
No-limit Bonus: Da An Group provides one free night at the Lishan Guesthouse Presidential Suite, valid on any date.
Course Record Bonus: NT$20,000 for breaking the 64 held by Coach Lin Wen-tang.
Low-Round Awards: SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep sponsors NT$10,000 each for the lowest scores in Rounds 3 and 4 (to be shared in case of ties).
Spectators may walk the course after registering at the main service desk and paying a NT$50 entrance fee for a pass. Walking is restricted to cart paths—no carts or shuttles between holes. For safety, children under 6 and pets are not allowed on course.
Highlights of the final two rounds (October 2–3) will air on October 14–15 at 4 PM, featuring coverage on: TPGA Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo Sports, TPGA website, LINE Today, LINE Golfourit channel, and Sports Vision. Additionally, Golf Media Network, Taiwan’s only digital golf broadcasting platform, will simulcast the event across 20 golf clubs nationwide.
