Taiwan’s Lee Hsin (李欣) and Japan’s Harumi Yoshikuwa carded 4-under 68s to set the early pace at the inaugural Taiwan Prosperity Ladies Open, which is a NT$3-million, 54-hole event.

With light rains on and off throughout the day, it provides plenty of challenges for 101 of Asia’s elite golfers today at the Wu Fong Golf Course. Lee Hsin, who started on the 10th hole, showcased exceptional putting skills on her front nine and reeled off five straight birdies from 13th to 17th to emerge early on the top of the leaderboard.

“I believe Wu Fong’s back nine plays tougher than the front. They are more lengthy, with some really difficult flag positions than the front side. With that in mind, I was very careful when I went out on the 10th,” Lee said. “Probably because I was extra cautious, I created some pretty good chances for myself and my putter was really good as well, taking advantages of some long birdie putts.”

On the easier front side, however, Lee lost a bit of her tempo she had on her outward nine, she missed a down-hill par putt on the par-3 2nd hole to make her first bogey of the day before she closed her inward nine with a 1-over 37, as she was joined by Harumi Yoshikuwa in the lead.

The three-time TLPGA Tour champion will be looking for her first victory in two years after winning the 2022 Jing-Mao Ladies Open.

Yoshikuwa, who had her own highlight-worthy moments with four consecutive birdies from 4th to 7th, captured an impressive total of seven birdies to take a share of the top spot on 4-under. She needed just 26 putts.

“The greens were a little tricky actually for us to navigate with the waves, and the pin were tough to get to. But I was surprised myself with how well I handled them,” said the Japanese. “The 7th hole was probably my best hole. The flag was tucked at the back, on top of the steep slope, but I hit it to a pretty good spot with my 8-iron and holed it from 10 feet on the next for my fourth birdie in a row there. I hope I can keep up the great level for the next two days.”

Vivian Chen (陳薇安) joined the front pack after a back-nine 4-under 32. She shot five birdies and two bogeys on Wednesday to sit in solo third at 69.

“I did a lot better on the back nine. I was really able to land the ball in front of the hole, not behind,” said the TLPGA rookie, who only missed one fairway in the first round. “I felt more and more settled into the rainy setting, as the round progressed. In fact, I kind of like to play in wet conditions. I know some players don’t like to play in the rain, but I hope it stays like this so I can have an advantage.”

Thai player P.K. Kongkraphan, who has been one of the hottest players on the TLPGA Tour lately with titles at the ICTSI Luisita Ladies International in April and the WPG Ladies Open in May, carded a 2-under 70 to sit in a tie for fourth with Pimnipa Panthong and Yuna Arakawa.

This week the TLPGA Tour travels to Taichung, Taiwan for the very first time in tour history and witnesses a new title-sponsor join the big family. The competition layout at the Wu Fong Golf Course, which sits near the famous scenic spot Jiujiu Peak, is set at 6,248 yards long. Hole-in-one prizes from Departure, SAMPO, EAGLE Golf, and BESV E-Bike are up for grabs on Hole 2, 4, 13, and 17. The field will be cut to the top-50 and ties after tomorrow’s second round.