Keeping the traditions alive, the Hitachi Ladies Open is teeing off on Friday as the new TLPGA Tour season’s opening event, as well as the first tournament around the globe to be held in 2022.

For the past 14 years, the event is sponsored by Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Taiwan Co., Ltd. The total purse remains at NT$10 million. Winner from 96 local elites will be rewarded a NT$2.5 million prize check.

Posting photos with hashtag #hitachichallenge on the event’s social media pages will help support the causes and collect cash donation to endow ten appointed charities. “Hitachi Ladies Classic is living a unique existence. It is always the first tournament in a new season. We work to deliver not just the beauty of golf, but also positive social impact, even outside of the golf environments, to empower people in the local communities,” Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Taiwan Co., Ltd. President M. Kikuchi said. “We are delightful that the TLPGA could continue to share this common vision with us at the very start of every year.”

On the pre-tournament press conference, two brand-new royal-blue jackets, which symbolize top honor, were revealed. One is ready to be presented to the winner on Sunday, and Kikuchi put the other on 2021 champion Chien Pei-Yun (錢珮芸), who prevailed by a whopping 7-shot winning margin.

Chien reflected on her growth, who will be embracing her sixth season in the United States. “Sometimes, you feel lonely in such a big place, that’s for sure, but at the same time, you obtain a self-belief that you would never have developed if you stay in your comfort zone,” Chien said. “You have to learn to adapt quickly, to the changing environments, to people around you, and to everyone you work with.”

“My caddie and I had a great time at the LPGA Tour Test,” said Chien, who finished in a tie for fourth to win a full-season LPGA Tour Card a couple of weeks ago. “It’s not going to be easy, but I really hope I will take an LPGA Tour victory. This is my biggest goal for the new year.”

Hou Yu-Sang (侯羽桑) will be entering the new LPGA Tour season later this month after she earned an LPGA Tour Card as well in December, when she announced her turning pro along her sister Hou Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔).

“I hope to go ‘one step forward’ this week,” said Yu-Sang, by which she meant winning the event because she finished as the runner-up this time last year. The younger Hou, however, doesn’t want to put to much pressure on her own shoulders. “This is my first tournament as a pro. I’m just happy this is played at a familiar place in Orient. I hope I can enjoy the game.”

LPGA Tour members Hsu Wei-Ling (徐薇淩) and Lee Min (李旻), highest ranked Taiwanese players on the world rankings, returned late in the 2021 TLPGA Tour season but took one victory each efficiently. Lee looks to repeat her feat in 2017 and win her second Hitachi Ladies Classic title.

2021 TLPGA year-end no.1, 17-year-old Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) swept away three victories for two consecutive season. She will begin her third-year TLPGA Tour campaign this week.

Kiwi-Taiwanese Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) was another strong performer in 2021, capturing two triumphs at the KENDA Tires TLPGA Open and SAMPO Ladies Open.

Other title hopefuls include Japan LPGA Tour campaigner Tsai Pei-Ying (蔡佩穎) and Phobe Yao (姚宣榆).