This week on the TLPGA Tour will see the ninth staging of the CTBC Ladies Open.

Due to virus concerns, the tournament is not open for international players; nevertheless, it celebrates one of the strongest fields in history as players who usually travel on the global circuits now all choose to stay on the home tour, including LPGA Tour members Hsu Wei-Ling (徐薇淩), Yani Tseng (曾雅妮), Lee Min (李旻), Japan LPGA champion Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆), as well as Korea’s Dream Tour titlist Chen Yu-Ju (陳宇茹).

Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏), who have bagged two victories after the resumption, and fellow teen talents Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳), Chang Tzu-Yi (張子怡), Tseng Tsai-Ching (曾彩晴), are also teeing up this Thursday. Defending champion, amateur sensation Hou Yu-Sang (侯羽桑) will hope to return to winning ways at the Orient Golf & Country Club. She is back on the Tour with sister Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔), who is now the second-ranked amateur in the world.

The 2020 CTBC Ladies Open will go through three rounds. Winner on Saturday will pocket NT$600,000. In gratitude for the medical workers who bravely shoulder the responsibility to keep the community healthy and safe, and to make the event possible, all players will wear a hat clip designed to pay tribute to them. Staffs will be giving away thank-you cards to the spectators. Fans can write and express their respect and thanks to the healthcare professionals, and tie it on a symbol tree.

“It’s highly competitive this year with everyone staying and playing,” said last year’s CTBC Ladies Open champ Hou Yu-Sang. “But it’s great for the tour. I’ll be going to focus on my own game, hoping to repeat my efforts last time around.”

CTBC ambassador Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉) finally obtained an LPGA membership card for full 2020 season but had to change her plan because of the pandemic. “It’s a little disappointing, but it’s always a great atmosphere to play at home. I’m happy to compete at the CTBC Open this year.”

Lin Tzu-Chi (林子麒), also sponsored by CTBC, was absent in the previous edition. “I was playing a qualification event for the LPGA Tour so I had to miss the event,” Lin said. “It feels great to be back. I have pretty high expectations on myself this week!”