17-year-old Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) continued her great form from last week’s CTBC Invitational, where she picked up her fifth TLPGA Tour crown (fourth as a professional), to take the first-round lead at the SAMPO Ladies Open.

Wu fought through extremely windy conditions at the Taipei Golf Club to card at 1-over 73; no player scored in red numbers or even stayed on par. There are ten players bowing out early for going 16-over or higher.

Erica Huang (黃郁評), Liang Yi-Ling (梁宜羚), and Hsieh Yu-Ling (謝瑀玲) sit in a three-way tie for second at 2-over, while a group of four with Liao Hsin-Chun (廖信淳), Chen Min-Jou (陳敏柔), Juliana Hung (洪玉霖), Lee Hsin (李欣) loom in a tie for fifth.

“The Taipei Course is not easy itself, and the wind was pretty crazy out there, especially on the back nine. I thought I was going to be good if I could hit the fairways and cut down the mistakes. And I did,” Wu said, who made 17 pars and an only bogey on the par-5 7th hole where her second shot was brought off by a strong crosswind. “I felt like I left three 3-foot birdies today, but to survive today like I did is a pretty good accomplishment I would say.”

Fresh off with a victory at the CTBC Invitational this past week, Wu is looking to add a fifth professional crown to her tally. She was a three-time winner in 2020, her rookie season. In 2018, a 14-year-old Wu became the youngest player to ever hold a TLPGA Tour victory after conquering the Party Golfers Ladies Open.

Growing up at the notoriously windy Hsin Chu Golf Club, Liang Yi-Ling is well accustomed to the gusty conditions today. She made one birdie at the par-5 2nd, where she sank a 15-foot long birdie putt after a deft chip shot to set up the chance, against three bogeys. “It was very tough with the wind, but I felt confident with my game, played some great saves and a solid round overall considering all circumstances,” Liang said. I had to hit straight into a monster wind on that 18th tee, with obstacles surrounding the green. It was a short hole, 145 yards. I took out a 6-iron, missed the green, needed two putts in the end and had to close the round with a bogey, which was still a bit disappointing, but I was happy about my performance. Hoping my putter will play better and things will get smoother tomorrow.”

Erica Huang was playing her second season as a pro after becoming an official TLPGA member last August. “It’s the same for everybody, so no panicking, just try to stay steady and patient in the wind. That was my approach,” said Huang, who shot three birdies and five bogeys to turn in a 74. “A little sloppy around the greens but I was okay at most other parts. I used to train here at the Taipei Club, so I hope I can give myself a good week right here.”

Hsieh Yu-Ling is also sitting on equal second at 2-over, after shooting two birdies, offset by four bogeys. “My putter was actually good. But the thing is the wind played a huge factor. It was not very easy to create opportunities. I felt like I couldn’t even stand straight on that 18th tee in the wind. The last time I played in such cruelty is probably when we competed at the Sunrise Club in winter,” Hsieh recalled. “Glad I did pick up a couple of mid-range birdie putts to keep myself on the first page of the leaderboard.”

The SAMPO Ladies Open, after being abandoned in 2020 and postponed from May this year due to the COVID pandemic concerns, returned in action today at the Taipei Golf Club. 52 pro women and 29 local amateurs confront the challenging Taipei Golf Club for a NT$4 million purse and a NT$750,000 top prize at the three-round event, title-sponsored by one of the top-selling appliance manufacturers in Taiwan, SAMPO Corporation. This is the tournament’s third appearance on the TLPGA Tour.

A cut will be made at the end of tomorrow to top-40 and ties. Tee times start at 7:00 in the morning.

Playing at 6,429 yards long, the layout covers Course C and D of the Taipei Golf Club, and on the way, four Hole-in-One prizes will be on offer on No.4, 8, 11, and 18 presented by ARKDAN, Yijung Watch, and Eagle Golf Taiwan. For the winner on Friday, SAMPO will also provide her with a limited edition SAMPO DC pedestal fan.

The Xiu Ju CUP- Senior Ladies Professional Tournament, featuring a prize purse of NT$1 million, will be held concurrently in memory of passed mother of SAMPO President Mr. Chen S-T..

The invitational event gathers 18 senior golfers to compete in Legends and Senior groups; winners in each group will take home a NT$150,000 check.