The fifth annual SAMPO Ladies Open is ready to tee off this week at the Nan Yi Golf & Country Club.

The total prize reaches a record-high NT$4.5 million. Winner to emerge from 92 players from Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia, through three rounds of competition, will receive an NT$810,000 paycheck.

Tseng Tsai-Ching (曾彩晴), who surprised the field to win in her maiden pro event last year right here, is returning to defend her title. “This is where it all started for me, and it was the perfect start. It feels really special to come back here,” said the Tainan native. “I appreciate the help and support from the Nan Yi Club, giving me a spot to play at the SAMPO Open last year, and of course I would like to express my thanks to the TLPGA for running the tour and helping to gear us for higher success.”

This is the second year the Nan Yi Golf & Country Club plays the backdrop for the SAMPO event. “Our staffs work very hard to always try to improve players’ experience here at Nan Yi. We also just completed our mission as the official venue for the National Games. We’re proud and confident you will surely enjoy your stay this week,” said Nan Yi Club chairman Tsai C-S.

SAMPO, one of the top-selling appliance manufacturers in Taiwan, makes its fifth appearance on the TLPGA Tour. “The weather and conditions have always been fantastic in Tainan, which was why we brought the tournament here since last year,” SAMPO president Chen S-T said. “And the course is in wonderful shape as well, apparently, thanks to the staff members at Nan Yi. I wish all the best to the players and personally I hope one of our Taiwanese players will lock the victory on home soil.”

After yet another hip surgery, former world no.1 Yani Tseng (曾雅妮) fought her way back onto the tour just last month. “I’m still not giving up, with all the support and love I’ve received and those from SAMPO and Mr. Chen, and I realized it is in adversity that shows the true value of who you are. I’m still working to be back to the highest level, and planning to return to playing in the U.S. next year. I’m just proud to continue showing this positive spirit and hopefully leave my legacy to the younger players,” Tseng said.

2021 champion Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) will also be in the field carrying high morale after just reaching the final round of the LPGA Tour qualification event a few weeks back.

The 18-hole “Xiu Ju Cup” Senior Ladies Professional Tournament will be held concurrently on Friday. The invitational event features 13 senior golfers who will battle for a NT$600,000 purse.

Set at 6,370 yards long, the Nan Yi layout was tested by the players for one last time in a traditional charity Pro-Am on Tuesday. Four Hole-in-One prizes will be on offer on No.3, 8, 13, and 15.

A cut will be made after the second round to filter the field down to the top-50 and ties.