Tian Zheng Chang Wah TPGA Pro-Am Legacy Tournament

Final Round

2025/12/19

With a total prize purse of NT$3 million, the Tian Zheng Chang Wah TPGA Pro-Am Legacy Tournament, the season-ending event of this year’s Taiwan Tour, concluded its final round today (19th) at Hsin Yi Golf Club in Kaohsiung. The 23-year-old U.S.-based Taiwanese player Lin Chuan-tai holed a crucial, tournament-winning 7-foot birdie putt on the final hole, carding a four-under-par 68. He finished with a three-round total of 14-under-par 202, edging the field by one stroke to secure a dramatic come-from-behind victory and the NT$600,000 winner’s prize. It marked his first professional victory in his debut Taiwan Tour start as an invited player.

Thai player Suteepat Prateeptienchai eagled and birdied his way to a 65 today. He also earned the daily low-round award sponsored by SOCH Furniture | Diandiansleep, worth NT$10,000. His three-round total of 13-under-par 203 saw him finish tied for second alongside Taiwanese player Su Chin-hung, who posted a 70. Both players received NT$270,000 in prize money.

Taiwanese player Chang-Chien Ko-yen, who had been second after two rounds, struggled on the greens and shot a 72. He finished tied for fourth at 12-under-par 204 alongside Ho Chin-hung, who recorded a 67.

Yesterday’s leader, Thai player Tawit Polthai, also endured putting difficulties and returned a 75. He eventually finished tied for seventh with Ye Yu-chen, who shot a 66, and Hung Chien-yao, who carded a 69.

Amateur player Chen You-ching, a trainee from Nan Yi Golf Club, battled hard with a 71. His three-round total of four-under-par 212 allowed him to edge past Ruan Yi-chi—who shot a 74 today—by one stroke to claim the amateur title. Chen also finished tied for 16th on the professional leaderboard.

In addition to thanking the organizing and co-organizing bodies, Lin Chuan-tai expressed special gratitude to Fubon Financial Holdings, Titleist, FootJoy, his management team, and his family for their continued support—especially his father, who introduced him to golf at a young age. Overjoyed after the win, he said, “It’s really been a long time since I last won a tournament!” His first phone call was to share the news with his father, to whom he dedicated his first professional title.

Lin began the day three strokes behind leader Tawit Polthai. Starting from the first hole, he recorded four birdies through 15 holes to move into the lead. As the tournament used a simultaneous start format, he was unaware of his exact standing until reaching the final hole, when he realized he held a one-shot lead while preparing his third shot to the green. On the par-5 closing hole, he needed a successful chip-and-putt birdie to win. Recalling the decisive 7-foot putt, he said, “I didn’t think too much—just focused on making a good stroke. It went in! I was so happy.”

He also noted that his previous victory came three years ago at the NCAA Duck International, where he won both the individual and team titles as an amateur. This first professional victory, he said, carried a very different significance and provided a major boost to his confidence.

Lin explained that his overall game was well balanced, with an average driving distance of around 300 yards and strong control in his short game, though he still aims to improve the consistency of his putting. After undergoing surgery earlier this year, he has paid closer attention to hydration, nutrition, and physical conditioning, which he believes has contributed to increased driving distance.

Describing himself as disciplined and self-regulated, Lin said he works diligently every day on what needs to be done. His calm demeanor on the course reflects his comfort performing under pressure, which he feels allows him to deliver steady results.

Having experienced several near-misses in previous tournaments, he believes those experiences provided valuable lessons despite falling short of victory. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional image on the course and hopes to serve as a role model for younger amateur players competing alongside him.

A native of Tamsui, Lin was introduced to golf by his father at the age of five. Throughout junior high and high school, he was homeschooled while undergoing golf training and competing in amateur events with notable success. After graduating high school, he went to the United States to study and compete on a collegiate golf team. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2024 and turned professional in June of the same year. He has since competed for two seasons on PGA Tour Americas, recording year-end money rankings of 44th and 76th, both within the top-80 cutoff to retain playing status. Looking ahead, his goal is to secure at least one victory on PGA Tour Americas next season and finish inside the top ten on the money list to earn eligibility for the Korn Ferry Tour.

The tournament was organized by Tian Zheng International Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., Chang Wah Group, and The PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), with Hsin Yi Golf Club serving as co-organizer. This marked the first time Tian Zheng International Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. has jointly title-sponsored a Taiwan Tour event, while Chang Wah Group co-title-sponsored a Taiwan Tour tournament for the first time after four consecutive years as sole title sponsor of the season-opening event.

This event concluded the 20-tournament schedule of the 2025 Taiwan Tour season. The Taiwan Tour money title had already been secured by Wang Wei-hsuan. With today’s results, Hung Chien-yao and Shen Wei-cheng officially confirmed their positions as second and third on the season-long money list.

The top three players on the Taiwan Tour money list will each receive additional bonus awards sponsored by Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Chairman Lin Jui-chang, with NT$500,000 awarded to first place, NT$300,000 to second, and NT$200,000 to third.

This tournament will be broadcast on a delayed basis, with the final two rounds edited into a 60-minute highlights program scheduled to air at 4:00 p.m. on January 1 and January 2, 2026. Coverage will be available on the TPGA Facebook page, Zhi-Lin Sports Channel, and YouTube. Tournament news and updates can also be followed via the TPGA official website, LINE platform “Golfourit,” LINE Today, and Yahoo Sports.