Tsai Pei-Ying (蔡佩穎) completed a wire-to-wire victory at the season-opening Hitachi Ladies Classic on Sunday. She defeated 2021 champion Chein Pei-Yun (錢珮芸) by two shots on 11-under 205.

This is Tsai’s fourth TLPGA Tour win and fifth on professional level, worth NT$2.5 million.

Starting with Tsai and Chien in the last flight of the day, 2021 year-end no.1, teen sensation Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) made an early statement by blasting through the first three holes with three birdies, narrowing the gap from six to three shots. But Tsai remained steady, tapping in for birdie on the 3rd to slow the chase down and maintain a safe cushion.

Chien, who was off bearing a three-stroke disadvantage, found her opportunities after the turn. After a birdie on the 14th, the 2021 champion only had one shot to bring the game back to the starting line.

Chien carried the momentum onto the short par-4 15th, shooting her tee shot to just 20 yards away. However, her second shot rolled far past the hole, which saw her first chance to catch up fade away.

On the par-5 final hole, Chien’s last effort was thwarted when her first two shots were both swallowed by the sand traps. Tsai, although missing a birdie putt from 27 feet, calmy sealed the deal with a 6-foot par. Chien dropped back to 9-under after a bogey disappointment.

Wu, who stroke seven birdies in the final round, committed a few bogeys on key moments to settle for a 67 and finished in solo third on 8-under par.

“I never missed this Hitachi event for 14 years in a row. Now finally I’m here celebrating the victory,” said the 30-year-old Tsai. “I first played here when I was a 16-year-old amateur. I believe the staffs at the Orient almost watched me grow into a real golfer. It feels like another home to me. I’m happy now I’m a winner here.”

“Yeah, it’s funny I almost chuckled on the 18th green, because that 6-footer never looked so long to me. It was ‘in and win’ but I couldn’t help to have a weird feeling I’m going to miss it! Luckily it went in, or things could become very complicated.”

Chien, fellow Pingtong-native and Tsai’s good friend, tried jokingly to grab down from her hands the winner’s trophy. “I was waiting for Pei-Ying to make mistakes, but she was just so solid,” said the defending champion. “Chia-Yen played so well, too. I feel the new generation is not new anymore, they are becoming current.” Chien praised her young playing partner.

Rookie pro Hou Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔) finished lone in the fourth place on 7-under. LPGA Tour player Lee Min (李旻) wrapped up the week on 212 in solo fifth place. World no.94 Hsu Wei-Ling (徐薇淩), Jessica Peng (彭婕), and Babe Liu (劉嬿) were in equal sixth on 213.

The low amateur honor goes to Hsu Huai-Chien (許淮茜). She finished the week on 216, same with Chang Tzu-Yi (張子怡), but she broke the tie with a lower third-round score (69 to 70).

Without ticket revenues this year due to Coivd-19 restrictions, Hitachi is holding an online charity campaign. Sharing 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.