The Sunrise Golf & Country Club is ready to play host to 85 players in the third annual WPG Ladies Open, now a NT$10-million premier event, starting from May 19 under a 54-hole stroke-play format.

WPG Holdings, title-sponsor of the event, offered an increased purse from NT$6 million in 2021 to $10 million, more than doubled when it was first held in 2020 (NT$4.5 million), making it one of the top-tier TLPGA Tour events along with Hitachi Ladies Classic and Wistron Ladies Open.

WPG, an ESG-friendly, global-leading distributor of semiconductor components, is hoping to continue the torch and improve the sport by raising the prize money. “We hope to stand with the athletes, who seek breakthrough and growth continuously, just as the WPG brand does,” WPG Holdings CEO Chang R-G. said. “WPG just recently began a partnership with Intel Technology, thanks to our strong network with component partners and our never-ending pursuit of excellence. We believe our joining in the TLPGA Tour would bring a special energy and encourage the ladies to stay motivated and become better.”

TLPGA Tour No.1 Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏), who is a Team WPG athlete, will return in action this week. In this second leg of the 2022 TLPGA Tour, two-time TLPGA Tour winner in 2021, Juliana Hung (洪玉霖), is also preparing to open her victory count.

Wu has a superb tournament history here at the Sunrise. The teenager shocked the field to snatch the first crown in 2020, and followed up the good work taking the runner-up plate the next year. Now, the 2021 TLPGA Tour Money winner is gunning for a repeat here, which, if true, would be her seventh title in two seasons. She recorded one TLPGA Tour win this year at the YICHEN Heritage Tour in April. Other title hopefuls include No.3 Julian Hung, No.5 Babe Liu (劉嬿) and No.9 Shih Cheng-Hsuan (石澄璇).

TLPGA Chairwoman Liu Yi-Chen thanks WPG for proving a much-needed stage for golfers in this pandemic era. Sunrise Golf Club GM Huang M-L. said they’ve been pouring in their full capability for three months in keeping the golf course in shape to world-class standards. “The WPG Open is no doubt the biggest event for us right now. We admire the effort and passion the WPG holds for making this event one of the best memorable. We take honor in doing our part.”

The pro women were set to test the layout one last time today in a traditional 18-hole pro-am with honorable guests and amateur golfers, considering the rising concerns of the Covid, however, the event was cancelled.

The competition layout is set at 63,18 yards long. Hold-in-one cash prizes are up for grabs on No.2, 4, 11, and 16, presented by WPG Holdings.

A cut is scheduled after the second-round, sending only the top-50 and ties into the Saturday finale.