2016 TLPGA Tour – KENDA Tire TLPGA Open with Total prize money NT 4,000,000, continues on Sept.30 at Taiwan GCC for final round. Malaysian player Michelle KOH and Wei-Ling HSU during 3-times play-off to decide the winner, Michelle KOH won by PAR against Wei-Ling HSU’s bogey. Michelle KOH won the champion in the end with NT 720,000, she born on 1990.09.30 which is the best birthday present this year!

Wei-Ling HSU as the second place won over NT 384,000. Taiwan GCC amateur player Wei-Chia TSAI won her first amateur champion at her home course, end as 10th place among all pro-players.

There’s total 57 players made cut (including 6 amateur players) during the long days yesterday after 36 holes played. Wei-Ling HSU was two-strokes behind Michelle KOH and Yun-Jye WEI when she start at the second last group. In the end, Wei-Ling HSU shot 4 birdies and 1 bogey total 69, Michelle KOH 71 and Yun-Jye WEI 75. Michelle KOH and Wei-Ling HSU share the lead after three rounds, total 212(-4), they played-off for the tie. This is also the first play-off in the history of KENDA Open.

The play-off took place at hole 9th par 4, 380 yards. First play-off both played par; second play-off all par on but Wei-Ling HSU has more chance to win with only 3-feet putt birdie, but Michelle KOH surprisingly putt in a 17-feet birdie, so they tied again with birdies.

Third play-off Wei-Ling HSU tee-off with a left-pull into the ditch, the line to the green was full of woods, she could only make a relief then chip back to the fairway. The third chip to the green was short and did not made the putt in one, end up with bogey. Michelle KOH smoothly made par on to the green and putt twice to made the par, thrilling to win her first champion in Taiwan.

After the game, Michelle KOH indicated this is her first time having a play-off, but she is never nervous, she is very happy to win the game in the end. She did not take any special strategy as playing leading group today. “Taipei GCC is very narrow in few holes, if not caution, will easily spend a lot shots to amend. So I rather make every shot steady.” Said KOH.

Michelle KOH played par in every each hole in the front nine, it was the 10th hole that she shot a birdie. During the game, Wei-Ling HSU keep chasing up to Michelle and made several ties in few holes. Michelle KOH shot her 3rd birdie at hole 15, with one-stroke lead. But she also miserably got a double bogey at hole 17, which Wei-Ling HSU share the tie with her since then. “I got a little nervous when I end up with that bogey…” KOH said.

Michelle KOH play in Taiwan for several tournaments every year, but this is her first win in Taiwan and it’s also her first win this year. Last win was in CTBC Shanghai Open a year ago. During these two days, she felt everything performed well only the putting often went short. “During that second play-off 17 feet putt, I told myself I must putt the distance over the hole, then it really gets in! It was that putt so that there’s third play-off.” KOH said. She refer the 17 feet birdie putt as the key to win this game in the end.

Wei-Ling HSU felt regret to lose the game in the third play-off, but she consider as a good experience. This is also her first play-off after she turned pro.

Wei-Ling HSU started with 2-strokes behind the leading team, overall shot 4 birdies 1 bogey total 69, she made two rounds under par in a row, 73-70-69 every round gets better and better, in the end catch up to Michelle KOH and share the lead. “I didn’t chase the leader in purpose today, only try to focus on the accuracy of my irons and I really made it! My irons are perfect today. Unfortunately, my putter weren’t performing well today, there’re 10 birdie chances that I missed. It’s obvious that if my putt are better today, I could win the game without having play-off.” HSU said. She made 69 with 31-putts today.

“Michelle KOH is a good friend of mine, though winning the game is great but not that important to me.” During the third play-off HSU tee-off with a left-pull to the ditch in the woods. “During these two days, my driver performed very well, so I thought I could driver more far, but then the mistake happened… I’ll consider as a experience.”

In the other hand, Meng-Chu CHEN played 70 today, three rounds total 213(-3) end with 3rd place. Ching HUANG played 72 today, three rounds total 214(-2) end with 4th place. Thai player Kanphanitnan MUANGKHUMSAKUL played 69 today, three rounds total 215(-1), end with 5th place.

Among amateurs, Wei-Chia TSAI has a three shots lead starting today. After 17 holes, she was sharing the lead with Yi-Ting LAI, according to the tournament regulations TSAI will place as 2nd if they tied. Fortunately, she shot a birdie on the 18th hole, three rounds total 220(+4) to win the game.

It was at the scoring area that TSAI realized she won the amateur champion, during the game, she heard Yi-Ting LAI was performing well but does not know much about the current position. “This is my first amateur champion in a ladies open, it is also my target before the game, since this is my home course I should have more chance to win. I’m very glad I reached my goal.” TSAI said.

Yesterday in the first round, Thai player Alisara WEDCHAKAMA made a hole-in-one at hole 8, received MASI EVOLUZIONE TEAM + Ultegra bicycle provided by Klight Industrial Co. Ltd., valued NT 100,000. Today, there’s another hole-in-one at hole 4, par 4 hole 156 yards, made by Thai players Narisara KERDRIT with 7 iron. This is her first hole-in-one and she received NT 10,000 provided by Taipei GCC.

TLPGA Chairman Liu Yi-Chen is about to retire next month, therefore, the vice-president of Kenda Rubber Industrial Company Yang Chi-Jen has award an appreciation medal on the award ceremony, thanks to her contribution to TLPGA for 6 years. Liu Yi-Chen also provided an appreciation medal to Taipei GCC new on board Chairman Lin Yu Bao, thanks to all the staff at Taipei GCC recovered the course after typhoon Megi, it is all their effort that the tournament would be so successful!