After years of unremitting efforts, in July, the Taiwan LPGA finally received an official invitation from WWGR (Women's World Golf Rankings) to become part of the official world ranking system, and a large crop of young local players were ready to take advantage of it. Hsu was one of them.

 

Talking about her lofty ambition to be on the “top of the golf world” at as early as 9, Hsu knew she was born to take a path different from normal kids. The transition from amateur to professional golf can be tough, but Hsu seemed poised and thoughtful, as she painted her American dream and set foot into the Symetra Tour, starting in 2012.

 

“I thought my biggest strength is having no real strength,” said the current No.5 on the futures Tour’s Race for the Card money list, in a self-deprecating humor, who is almost certain to win an LPGA Tour card in 2015 with just one tournament left of the calendar. “I’m rather an all-around player that I think I have pretty much every aspect of my game at a pretty good level. Not a real wowing weapon, but I have a lot of tools in my bag.”

 

“So when a chance comes,” said Hsu, “I take a right tool and get it. That’s what I’m most proud of myself.” Her maiden Tour victory came quickly in 2013. In 2014, Hsu announced herself to the golf world with a stellar season that includes one title and one runner-up showing, and finally puts her among the top five in the competitive field that only the best ten players with the highest prize earnings can qualify for LPGA entries in 2015.

 

In the 2-year journey she spent almost alone on the other side of the world, Hsu feels from deep down her heart that it was the catharsis she needed. “It was a nice pleasant feeling that you’re able to see the growth in you, technically and mentally, when most of the times you wouldn’t have any help from others. It’s a world of competition after all.”

 

“But it’s well worth it. I’ve learnt how to right the ship by myself when something is not going right,” said Hsu. “I’ve become a more mature player overall. I used to have very bad nerves but now I know competition is just part of the game. For golf, it’s always more important to just be you. And I know I got the tools.”

 

Having to skip the culminating event on the Symetra Tour in the same week, the CTBC endorsed super star chose to fly home to hopefully secure the 2014 CTBC Ladies Open title in front of the people she loves.

 

Another player to watch out for, despite not yet turned pro, is teen prodigy Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉). The recent Youth Olympic silver medalist couldn’t be more familiar with the backdrop this week – the Orient Golf & Country Club – as it has provided a nice training base since she was little. “But again, I would not put a high aim for myself,” said Cheng.

 

“At this stage of my career, I would not want to give myself too much pressure, but it’s always a good chance to examine where I’m at in a real tournament, especially when you got all the best China LPGA Tour players here as well, and now that the Asian Games comes near. I’m excited.”

 

The 2014 CTBC Ladies Open, set for Sep. 18-20, marks the first in its 3-year history to award official world ranking points and co-sanctioned by the China LPGA Tour. The purse is also boosted to NT$5 million from NT$3 million in 2013.

 

A Pro-Am event took place on Tuesday for a good cause. The CTBC Bank will donate money for each under-par play to endow children charities.

 

The 54-hole tournament will have a cut after 36 holes to send only the top-50 and ties to the final Saturday for the prize and points. A hole-in-one prize of a brand new Audi A6 2.0 TFSI worthy of NT$2.42 million will also be up for grabs on the 16th.