Mio Kotaki just notched her first professional victory on Friday at the CTBC Ladies Open, making a history as she is the first JLPGA’s Step-Up Tour winner in an oversea setting. The JPY30,000,000 event is a co-sanctioned tournament by the TLPGA Tour and JLPGA’s Step-Up Tour (JSU Tour).

The backdrop this week is the Orient Golf & Country Club, which played host the players earlier this season at the Hitachi Ladies Classic.

The Japanese started the day trailing local favorite Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) by two shots. But the turning point she was hoping for came around the turn, where Wu bogeyed the eighth hole while she jumped on a ride of four birdies from 8 to 11, finding herself holding a three-shot cushion.

Wu missed two birdie opportunities on 12 and 13 and failed to take any advantage when Kotaki dropped her first shot on no.14, where Wu herself made a bogey.

Still down by three with just four holes to the finish line, Wu, 2021 TLPGA Tour year-end Money Winner, mounted an incredible late chase by birdying thrice on 15, 17, and 18, but an untimely bogey on the 16th ruined all efforts. Kotaki would embrace the win by one shot with a final-round 67 and a three-round total of 11-under 205. Wu’s final-round closed with a 70.

“I think the most important moment for me today was on the 6th, where I made a difficult, downhill 9-footer for par, which kept things tight and gave me a boost of confidence,” said Kotaki. “Wu was still playing strong, making birdies, so I told myself that I would also have to be aggressive.”

“The four-in-a-row (birdies) was unexpected, and suddenly I became very nervous playing in the lead. I’m glad that I was able to at least collect all those pars and not let the win slip from my hand. I feel proud of myself,” said Kotaki, who turned pro in 2017. “It’s been a tough journey, not gonna lie, seeing many of my good friends hitting the milestones with victories. Now finally it’s my turn.”

“It’s my first trip to Taiwan. It’s been an unforgettable week. Thanks to the sponsors, and the amazing TLPGA staffs for all the care and help.”

Kotaki’s final-group playing partners Wu Chia-Yen and Jessica Peng (彭婕) secured solo second and third place at 206 and 208.

Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳), who shot 68, finished in solo fourth at 210. Wu, Peng, and Chang are, in fact, all CTBC athletes. Another CTBC sponsored player in An Ho-Yu (安禾佑) also shot a 68 to wrap up in top-10 in a tie for eighth at 213.

Chen Yu-Chu (陳宥竹) won the low-amateur honor with a 54-hole total of 1-over 217. She took the amateur champion’s trophy from the hands of JLPGA chairlady Hiromi Kobayashi.

The 2023 CTBC Ladies Open is presented in collaboration with the JLPGA, making it a Step-Up Tour oversea leg—a historic first for the JLPGA’s secondary tour to travel outside of Japan.