Among the most prominent sporting events in Taiwan, 2014 Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship is scheduled to tee off Thursday, October 30, at the Miramar Golf Country Club, 40 minutes from downtown Taipei. Six participating star players gathered in front of the iconic Taipei 101, including Taiwan’s own Yani Tseng and Hsuan-Yu Yao, as well as New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie of the US, Spain’s Beatriz Recari and Germany’s Sandra Gal, to show off their amazing swings and warm-up for this prestigious event.  

 

The LPGA and Taiwan’s TLPGA co-sanctioned event features an awe-inspiring all-star field, anchored by the top seven players in the Rolex Rankings: No. 1 Inbee Park of South Korea, No. 2 Stacy Lewis of the US, No. 3 Lydia Ko, No. 4 defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway, No. 5 Michelle Wie, as well as Shanshan Feng of China, and Korea’s So Yeon Ryu

 

Yani Tseng, the inaugural winner of the LPGA Taiwan Championship in 2011, stressed that this tournament is one of the rare local sporting platforms where Taiwan is fully aligned with the rest of the world. Tseng emphasized that she will try her best to retain the trophy in Taiwan this year and hopes fans will come out to support all the players. 

 

22-year-old Hsuan-Yu Yao revealed she is thrilled Fubon is the title sponsor for the most important golf tournament in Taiwan. “I feel like I am home and have some sort of ‘home court’ advantage.” Yao, who won her very first professional victory at another tournament sponsored by Fubon - the Fubon Ladies Open, said she will try to take a page from the world’s elite players. 

 

2014 U.S. Women's Open winner, Michelle Wie, whose golf career has been closely followed by Taiwanese fans, said the finger injury she sustained a few months ago has completely healed. Wie said she is feeling very good about her golf swing, as evidenced by her impressive T3 finish at the Blue Bay Classic yesterday in China. “I hope I can do even better this week,” said Wie.

 

On the other hand, Lydia Ko said Taiwan is like the “launching pad” of her professional golf career as she picked up her first win as a pro in late 2013 in Taiwan. “I love playing in Taiwan. The fans here are very nice and supportive. I am glad to come back here this week and really look forward to the tournament.” After triumphing at the Marathon Classic earlier this year, Ko already has four LPGA wins under her belt. 

 

Meanwhile, Beatriz Recari and Sandra Gal both are “regulars” here at the LPGA Taiwan Championship, enjoying a huge fan base. The two stars were in total agreement when they said the LPGA Taiwan Championship is one of the few special events they really look forward to on the calendar each year.  

 

“Fubon hopes our players and friends coming from afar can experience Taiwan’s beauty and hospitality through this tournament,” added Fubon Cultural & Educational Foundation Chairman, Jason Yuan. Director-General of Sports Administration, Ministry of Education, Ho Jow-Fei was also present to show the government’s support for this landmark annual golf tournament, wishing all participating players best of luck in the next few days. The TLPGA Chairperson Yi-Chen Liu said, “The number of golfers taking part in this year’s tournament has doubled from past years. I hope they can make the most of this rare opportunity.” Mike Whan, LPGA Commissioner who flew into town for the occasion, remarked: “Fubon has long been associated with golf sponsorship. The tournament is in great hands and the best is definitely yet to come.” 

 

To greet LPGA VIPs, participating international lady golfers and TLPGA officials, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is rolling out the red carpet and hosting a welcome reception dinner tonight at the Taipei House, elevating the reception to a new high in the tournament’s four-year history, as the venue is reserved exclusively for Taiwan state banquets. Taiwan’s Vice President, Wu Den-yih, tournament honorary chairman former Vice President Vincent Siew, Minister of the MOFA, David Lin, and title sponsor representative Jason Yuan will also be present. During the reception, guests will be able to treat themselves to renowned Taiwanese delicacies such as Ding Tai Fung’s xiaolongbao and bubble tea, while enjoying variety shows prepared by the MOFA.

 

The USD 2 million Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship will kick off with a pro-am tournament on Wednesday, followed by four rounds of stroke play with no cuts. FTV will provide live TV coverage in Taiwan. Tickets for the first two rounds sell for TWD500 per round; TWD700 for the 3rd round and TWD800 for the final round. Weekly passes can be purchased for TWD2,000. Fubon credit card holders are eligible for an additional 10% discount. For more tournament information, please visit: http://www.fubonlpga.com/ ; for ticket booking, please visit: http://www.ticket.com.tw/