The Taiwan LPGA teams up with Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group), one of the world’s largest electronics manufacturers, to welcome the addition of Foxconn TLPGA Players Championship to the TLPGA Tour. The Taiwan-based super-brand confirms the biggest ever prize purse in the history of the tour, a staggering US$1 million, which will guarantee 14 precious women’s world golf ranking points for the winner this Sunday.
The four-round tournament starts from Thursday at the Orient Golf & Country Club, with only the top-40 players on the 2023 TLPGA Tour, top-250 in the world rankings, and players who hold at least one title during the 2023 and 2024 TLPGA Tour season being invited to the field.
2023 Korea LPGA Tour 4-time titlist Im Jin Hee, 2-time winner on the 2023 Thailand LPGA Tour Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, and Sora Kamiya, who just recorded her maiden Japan LPGA Tour major title in September, will headline the list composed of 150 players from seven countries.
Taiwan’s own Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) is one of the hottest players at the moment as well. The 19-year-old racked up four victories in her rookie season on the JLPGA’s Step Up Tour, including the year-end JLPGA Rookies Championship Kaga Electronics Cup, to finish the year on the top spot on the money leaderboard, which pumped her into the main JLPGA Tour this year.
More than 10 JLPGA Tour champions signed up for this week’s event, making it as competitive as ever. Recent TLPGA Tour winners Hou Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔), Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳), and Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) also have confirmed their entries.
“This gives a real major tournament vibe! On behalf of all members, I’m truly thankful Foxconn and Hon Hai Technology Group would make what seemingly impossible possible by giving such a boost financially to help the TLPGA establish its international presence,” said TLPGA Chairwoman Liu Yi-Chen. “The Foxconn and TLPGA Players Championship is the biggest ever own-sanctioned tournament, in terms of prize money, in the tour history, and helps make an important step of the TLPGA Tour’s restructuring—we’re hoping to cement a “major” tier status, creating our own TLPGA Grand Slam to add to the excitement for players and fans.”
Foxconn is celebrating its 50th anniversary, a perfect timing to create new possibilities and leave its legacy in the women’s golf world. |