Tong Hwa Golf Club plays host to 93 professional players from all over Asia as well as 9 local amateurs, who will be competing at the second annual Da Da Digital Ladies Open for a total purse of NT$3 million.

Chen Yu-Ju (陳宇茹) will be the defending champion this week. Last year, the 26-year-old grabbed the NT$540,000 worth victory at the newly renovated Tong Hwa course, using a 54-hole total score of 9-under 207.

This year, Chen will have a stern challenge ahead for her to retain the title competing with 5 of the TLPGA Tour’s top-10 money leaders including Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳), Lee Hsin (李欣), Juliana Hung (洪玉霖), Babe Liu (劉嬿), An Ho-Yu (安禾佑), as well as the recent KENDA Tires TLPGA Open winner Chonlada Chayanun of Thailand and runners-up Huang Ching (黃靖) and Hanna Chen (陳子涵).

The layout will be set at 6,331 yards long. Players tested the course for one last time in a traditional pro-am event today.

Da Da is a broadband service company in Taiwan initiated by the locally-renowned Da Feng cable company, which hopes to facilitate positive social relationships and connections through sporting events and various charitable endeavors organized by the Da Da Digital Foundation.

“We have some really talented women out here. I mean, Taiwan can have another world no.1. Why not?” pre-tournament press event host, local celebrity Arthur Hsieh said, referring to Yani Tseng’s (曾雅妮) success as the first no.1-ranked women’s golfer from Taiwan during the early 2010s.

“I would like to extend my thanks to co-sponsors for supporting the green fees and hole-in-one prizes, to make this event even more enjoyable,” Da Da Digital president Tai Y-H. said. “I wish all the women the best of luck, and Yu-Ju, hopefully, to have another fantastic week!”

The international field is comprised of 66 local elites (and amateurs), 32 from Thailand, and 4 players form Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The event runs through this Wednesday to Friday. A cut will be made after 36-holes, and only the top-50 and ties will prevail for the final 18-hole.