Wistron Ladies Open has raised its total prize money from NT$6 million to NT$10 million this year, becoming one of the premier $10-million majors on the TLPGA Tour. 54 TLPGA professionals will be vying for a NT$2 million top prize. The three-round event tees off on Wednesday.

Wistron, one of the global leaders in the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) field, has been an important partner with the TLPGA since 2006 and finally became a title sponsor last year.

“We’ve always wanted to help make a bigger stage for our athletes,” Wistron president Lin H-M. said. “Now the purse of the 2021 Wistron Ladies Open is as big as some LET (Ladies European Tour) tournaments, and bigger than those on the WPGA (Women’s Professional Golf Australia Tour). With the rise in prize money, we can expect more and better players from around the world joining the TLPGA Tour, which we believe will boost the development of the overall standard of our local players and the growth of the golf sport in general, not to mention financially, it’s only going to go upward and allow the players more income as more sponsors are in. We also see more partnership opportunities between the TLPGA Tour and the international tours if we continue the efforts.” Wistron was one of the main sponsors at the TLPGA & Royal Open.

“On behalf of the TLPGA, I would like to thank Mr. Lin and Wistron for their kind supports,” said TLPGA chairwoman Liu Yi-Chen. “It’s very special because it is the 20th year for both the TLPGA and Wistron Corporation since founding, at the same time, Sunrise Golf Club, this year’s venue, is celebrating its 30th year. In these milestone moments, we are sharing a bigger picture together to hopefully give the TLPGA Tour a new life especially in these tough times in the pandemic era.”

The potential threat to the weather because of a passing typhoon is now getting smaller as the heavy rains and wind turned light today in the Pro-Am event, and the forecast looks promising through to Friday. “Yesterday we faced literally the worst weather conditions we’ve seen all Summer,” said Huang M-L., GM of the Sunrise Golf Club. “Sunrise will ensure the best playing conditions for the players. But I think from the look of the forecast, the players are heading into a fun challenge because they are probably going to experience big weather changes daily throughout this tournament. We could be almost as if we’re in four seasons in four days!”

The players tested the course, with a green speed of 9.2, for one last time in today’s Pro-Am. Chang Hsuan-Ping (張瑄屏) led her foursome to the victory with the score of 62, winning themselves each a Majesty Premium golf bag.

Layout this week for the Wistron Ladies Open is set at 6,410 yards long. Along the way two Hole-In-One prizes will be up for grabs on No.11 and No.16.

Yilan native Shih Cheng-Hsuan (石澄璇) came back from behind to snatch the win last year at the Tong Hwa Golf Club. She said she felt “excited but nervous” to return to the Wistron Open. “It’s been a tough time for everybody so we’re truly grateful to still be here competing thanks to the supports from Wistron and all the sponsors. Sunrise is known for its difficulty with the windy conditions and faster greens. It’s going to be unpredictable. But I am ready for it.”