2025/11/12

The 2025 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open is set to take place from November 13 to 16 at Taifong Golf Club in Changhua. The four-round, 72-hole tournament offers a total prize purse of US$400,000 (approximately NT$12.4 million). This marks the third consecutive year that Taifong Golf Club has served as the title sponsor of an Asian Tour event. The Champion will receive US$72,000 (approximately NT$2.232 Million). This year, players from 24 countries will participate, setting a new record in the tournament’s history.

Since the “Taiwan Glass Taifong Open” was officially upgraded to an Asian Tour event in 2023, Taiwan has, for the first time, become a country hosting three Asian Tour tournaments in one year. Golf enthusiasts have been eagerly looking forward to this event, and top players from around the world are fully prepared to take on the challenge.

This year’s tournament features 123 players competing for the championship trophy. With both Asian Tour professionals and Taiwan’s elite golfers coming together, players will not only compete for the title and prize money but also for qualification on next year’s Asian Tour. The level of competition is extremely high, promising an exciting week ahead.

This year’s field includes players from 24 countries, namely Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, China, England, Spain, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam, and Taiwan. There are 81 international players (including one amateur) and 42 players from Taiwan, all competing for the trophy and prize money.

Taiwan Glass Group President and Taifong Golf Club Chairman Lin Po-shi, The PGA of Taiwan Chairman Chen Jung-hsin, Asian Tour Tournament Director Krirkchai Boonprasert, Tournament Director Kuo Tsung-tai, Taiwan Glass Group sponsored player Lee Chieh-po, and player representatives all attended the press conference.

Chairman Lin Po-shi expressed his gratitude during the press conference, saying that he was thankful to God that the Pro-Am event went smoothly without wind or rain. He also mentioned that this year marks the third and final year of their current three-year title sponsorship contract and announced that the sponsorship will continue for another three years starting next year, with the total prize money being increased to US$500,000.

The title sponsors of this event are Taiwan Glass Group and Taifong Golf Club. The organizers are TPGA and the Asian Tour, under the guidance of the Sports Administration. The runner-up will receive US$44,000, and the third-place finisher will take home US$25,200.

This event is the third Asian Tour tournament held in Taiwan this year, and it is also the fourth-to-last stop of the 2025 Asian Tour and the second-to-last stop on the Taiwan Tour. The results and points earned here will be critical in determining seed eligibility for both the 2026 Asian Tour and Taiwan Tour.

Chairman Lin Po-shi has long been a key promoter of golf in Taiwan. Since 2005, Taifong Golf Club has hosted five editions of the TPGA Taifong Open, two Senior and Lady’s Professional combat matches, seven TLPGA Taifong Lady’s International Opens, and from 2014 to 2022, seven ADT tournaments. During the global pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when the ADT event was suspended, Chairman Lin continued to host the TPGA Taifong Men’s Open for two consecutive years to support local professional players.

To provide Taiwanese golfers with a high-level international platform and opportunities to gain world ranking points and experience, Chairman Lin upgraded the Taifong ADT Open to the Asian Tour in 2023. This year marks the thirs consecutive year of title sponsorship. Lin has continued to enhance the course’s facilities and improve the quality of both the fairways and greens. The greens now roll at 10.5 on the stimometer, and additional bunkers were extended on holes 13, 17, and 18 to increase difficulty. The rough has also been reconditioned to meet Asian Tour standards. The tournament’s name, “Taiwan Glass Taifong Open” reflects Lin’s dual roles as President of Taiwan Glass Group and Chairman of Taifong Golf Club. By incorporating the corporate name into the tournament, the event not only preserves Taifong’s prominent position in Taiwan’s golf landscape but also showcases the diverse and international image of Taiwan Glass Group, allowing more international players to experience Taiwan’s world class golf venues and enjoy a dynamic, high-level event.

Taifong Golf Club’s distinctive clubhouse, the “Chia-Ching Clubhouse,” was designed by world-renowned architect Álvaro Siza and was completed in 2020. Combining aesthetics and comfort, the clubhouse offers world-class service and scenery, blending art and sport seamlessly. Players and visitors can fully enjoy playing in such an inspiring environment.

This year, 23 Thai players are participating, the second-largest group after the Taiwanese players. Thai players have claimed three titles in the seven previous Taifong ADT tournaments. Thailand’s Suttiphan Sritong captured consecutive victories in 2023 and 2024. Last year’s runner-up, Runchanapong Youprayong, who now plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, ranked 101st after competing in 20 events, making 10 cuts and finishing once in the top ten. He returns this year aiming for the championship title.

Another Thai player, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, who tied for third place last year, currently ranks 49th on the Asian Tour and is regarded as a strong contender.

Among the Taiwanese favorites, Taiwan Glass sponsored player Lee Chieh-po became the first Taiwanese golfer to compete in the LIV Golf League this year. He performed well, finishing the season ranked 47th, with his best result being 12th place. He claimed his first Asian Tour victory at the International Series Thailand on October 24, 2023, and was also the 2021 Taifong Open champion.

Several Taiwanese Asian Tour players are also seeking to keep the championship trophy at home, including Chan Shih-chang, who has five Asian Tour titles and three wins at Taifong Golf Club — the 2010 Taifong Open, and the 2014 and 2018 Taifong ADT events. He currently ranks 76th on the Asian Tour money list.

Chang Wei-lun, currently ranked 78th on the Asian Tour, finished runner-up at the BNI Indonesian Masters on October 31 last year, his career-best Asian Tour finish. He also won a Taiwan Tour title in September and now aims for his first Asian Tour victory.

Another Taiwanese contender, Hung Chien-yao, previously won the 2020 Taifong Open and the 2022 Taifong ADT title. He finished tied for third as the best-performing Taiwanese player in this event last year. He is currently ranked eighth on the Taiwan Tour money list and continues to pursue his first Asian Tour victory.

Liu Yong-hua, ranked 91st on the Asian Tour, claimed three Taiwan Tour titles and one ADT victory in 2024 and is now fully focused on earning his first Asian Tour win.

The tournament course is presented in full accordance with Asian Tour standards, measuring 7,255 yards in total. Both fairways and greens have been maintained to optimal condition. This week’s greens roll at 10.5, with extended bunkers on holes 13, 17, and 18, and restructured rough areas, all designed to meet the Tour’s high competitive requirements.

On November 12, the tournament held its press conference and an 18-hole Pro-Am event featuring 39 groups, with more than 100 amateur participants and 38 professionals. The event was held in a social, non-scoring format, followed by a Pro-Am dinner in the evening.

The first round officially begins on November 13, with the top 65 players advancing to the weekend after two rounds.

Taifong Golf Club features long fairways, challenging rough around both fairways and greens, and undulating, fast-paced greens. Combined with the unstable post-typhoon weather this week, players will face a true test of skill and endurance.

Special Prizes

Hole-in-One Prize: Holes 2, 8, 12, and 15 — NT$10,000 each provided by the club.

Chairman Lin Po-shi additionally offers NT$100,000 for a hole-in-one on Hole 15, to be awarded to the first player achieving it.

Course Record Bonus — NT$50,000 for breaking the record of 63 set by Chang I-hsin in 2016 (sponsored by Commissioner Hsieh Chih-hung). The prize will not be awarded if preferred lies are in play.

The first two rounds, on November 13 and 14, will be broadcast as one-hour highlight programs from 23:00 to 00:00. The third round on November 15 and the final round on November 16 will be broadcast live, presenting real-time coverage of the competition. The November 15 broadcast begins at 11:30 a.m. with a replay at 8:00 p.m., and the November 16 final round begins at 11:30 a.m. with a replay at 8:00 p.m., both aired on ELTA Golf Channel 2.

In addition, Taifong Golf Club has established an official tournament website, where fans can find event updates and live scoring throughout the week at www.thgc.com.tw. Admission will be free for all four days, and golf fans from everywhere are warmly invited to attend and enjoy this world-class event.

During the tournament, spectators may enter the course to watch play but must register at the Chia-Ching Clubhouse counter to receive a spectator pass before entry. Public liability insurance has been provided by the organizer, and no insurance fee is required. Spectators should be mindful of safety at all times, walk only on cart paths, and refrain from riding golf carts. No shuttle service will be provided between holes. For safety reasons, children under six and pets are advised not to enter the course area. The organizer reserves the right to deny entry when necessary.