Taiwan’s Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆) battled strong wind and coldness on Friday at the Tao Yuan Golf Course to finish with a final-round 1-under 71 and a 54-hole total of 1-over 217, capturing the season-end honor and her fourth title on the TLPGA Tour at the NT$2.5 million TLPGA Open. The win is worth NT$500,000.

Bouncing back after a second-round 80, Chinese teen star Shi Yuting (石昱婷) also carded a 71 to rise from a tie for ninth to solo second at 4-over 220, winning herself a NT$250,000 check.

The TLPGA also served as the Qualifying Tournament for the 2016 Tour Card. Only the 20 best performers out of the 60 players who made it into the field can win themselves the chance to compete on the TLPGA Tour next season. Shi has made history with her runner-up showing to become the first official TLPGA Tour member from China.

On the presenting ceremony, Taiwan LPGA Chairwoman Liu Yi-Chen said, “I want to again express my heartiest thanks to all the sponsors on the TLPGA Tour for the supporting of tournaments as well as fostering our local golfers.”

“It’s a united effort that we can continue to garner these resources for these great Taiwanese talents and introduce them to the international stage. Taiwan was the eighth and last qualifying team in the inaugural LPGA International Crown, but we have, as of the latest rankings, improved as the fourth best nation around the world, thanks to an all-around elevation of the Tour and our women’s golf overall,” said Liu. “We have 42 players from Taiwan holding professional world rankings. I hope our players will keep up their faith and set their sights on the Olympic podium as well as the International Crown next year.”

Cool weather, big wind, and persistent drizzle left players some hard challenges on the final day of the TLPGA Open but overnight leader Yao adjusted well with composure, keeping the error count low and managing her long approaches solidly.

Yao had 35 on the front nine, missing just one green on the 6th when she was forced to face the wind straight forward. Yao then followed with a steady back nine making two birdies and bogeys. Shi was the only player left to post a challenge to Yao as she birdied Hole 15 and 16 in a row to go within just two shots off. However, a bogey on the 17th ended her final charge.

Having had a victory last April at the Fuji Sankei Ladies Classic on the Japan LPGA Tour and finished in the top 30, Yao dropped her form a little but still ended 2015 as the 45th seed, which means a direct entry to the 2016 season. “Over this year, I was constantly trying with some swinging adjustments and new clubs, having not really been confident,” said Yao. “I will now take a brief rest and heal a small injury in my hand, and hopefully come back stronger at the Hitachi Ladies Open in January.” Yao said, her goal for the next year in Japan is not just to win a title but to make it to the top 15 at the end of the year, and to improve her scoring average from 72.62 to 72.

China LPGA Tour player Shi has also entered the upcoming three TLPGA Tour events in January. “Again, I really like the atmosphere here in Taiwan. I was happy to see my improvement from yesterday, dealing with the wind a lot better, and even happier to get to play in Taiwan all year next year,” said Shi. “I will compete on both Tours and see maybe at the end of the year, I will try qualifying for the JLPGA or the LPGA Tour.”

Already confirmed for the honor before this week, 2015 TLPGA Tour Money List winner Kuo Ai-Chen (郭艾榛) ended in a tie for 18th at the TLPGA Open, totaling her 2015 prize money at NT$2,932,332. “It was a good year for me. I was lucky to take up the title because there are a lot of great players who haven’t really played full-time on the TLPGA Tour.” said Kuo. “I’m now working to beef up a few pounds to enhance my lower body power and consistency. I will continue to work hard and hope to take more victories in 2016.”

Thailand’s Wannasiri Sirisampant used a 1-over 73 to move to solo third at 221, while Taiwan’s Chen Min-Jou (陳敏柔), Thai Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, and Saranporn Chamchoi finished in a tie for fourth at 223.

Huang Wan-Ping (黃婉萍), a Kaohsiung’s Hsin Yi Golf Club player, wins her first low amateur honor with an 8-over 224, which could be ranked solo seventh on the final leaderboard.