The first major event of the 2021 TLPGA Tour, the Hitachi Ladies Classic will kick off the new season this week at the Orient Golf & Country Club.

For the 13th year in a row, the premier tournament remains one of the highest paying TLPGA Tour event. The winner to be emerged from 96 local elites will be rewarded a NT$2.5 million prize check and bonus world ranking points.

“Despite being in this pandemic era, we hope to keep the torch burning,” Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Taiwan Co., Ltd. President M. Kikuchi said. “For the past 50 years, Hitachi strives to fulfill the social responsibilities by contributing to the development of the society and helping to support community activities, especially for those in need. Charity has been a big part in the Hitachi Ladies Classic and we’re going to carry the tradition as far as we can.”

Annual proceeds from the tournament and an equal bonus from Hitachi will be used to endow 10 local charities. Estimated donation with all 13 events combined is going to reach NT$70 million.

“I really hope the fans will be joining us to support these ladies and witness some beautiful golf,” said S.H. Chen from Hitachi Taiwan. “With your masks on, of course! We’re privileged to be able to celebrate and play in these big events. I would like to again express my gratitude to our medical workers on the frontline.”

“For us players, it is truly a big help financially that we can play on the TLPGA Tour,” said defending champion Chen Yu-Ju (陳宇茹), who owns a Korea LPGA Tour title but couldn’t play much due to Korean government restrictions. “I feel very grateful, that in these tough times for everyone, Hitachi is willing to still give us such great support. I hope I can bring out my best golf again this week.”

“Every year feels new to this special event, though it’s in its 13th year already,” said LPGA Tour member Hsu Wei-Ling (徐薇淩), who stands at no.125 in the world. “I wish I can make it an even more memorable one by winning.”

“It’s been a challenging time, but because of that, I got to stay on my homeland longer than usual and play more on the TLPGA Tour. I missed the LPGA Tour but nothing can be compared to staying close to your loved ones. I look forward to seeing a lot of friends and Taiwanese fans,” Hsu said.