The 2024 KENDA Tires TLPGA Open gets underway this week at the Taichung International Country Club, a new backdrop for the NT$3-million TLPGA Tour event.

97 players from Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines will be playing over three rounds of golf from Wednesday to Friday, aiming at the NT$540,000 top prize. An 18-hole traditional Senior showdown will be held concurrently on the final Friday.

Chang Ching-Ling (張靖翎) will lead the local challenge following a sparkling performance with back-to-back TLPGA Tour victories last month at the Friends of TLPGA Open and the YTS & SUNCITY Heritage Tour, alongside Shih Cheng-Hsuan (石澄璇), fellow two-time champion this season.

2014 winner Babe Liu (劉嬿) recalled her fond memories at the KENDA event. “It was such a great surprise for me to win. The moment still feels fresh, even after all the years. I would have to take this chance to thank KENDA, who has been giving the tour so much support for such a long time. I always enjoy playing at the KENDA Open,” Liu said.

KENDA accounts for about 80% of the world’s market share for golf cart wheels. The Changhua-based company started to provide sponsorship supports to professional golfers in 2003. In KENDA’s 50th anniversary in 2013, the first KENDA Tires TLPGA Open was staged.

“We are honored to have joined the winning moments in the careers of some great golf champions such as Ben Curtis, who won the British Open in 2003, and many more beloved athletes and events, and we hope to continue our commitment and support to the sports in the future,” president of KENDA Rubber Industrial, Mr. Yang C-J. said.

“On this occasion, I would like to thank Mr. Yang for your continued support from KENDA Tires. Thank you for aligning with us and creating histories with our players,” said TLPGA chairwoman Liu Yi-Chen. “I would like to extend my thanks also to the Taichung International Country Club staffs for keeping the course in amazing shape to make this event enjoyable as always.”

First-round action of the 2024 KENDA Tire TLPGA Open will begin on Wednesday morning from both first and tenth tees. Hole-in-one prizes from BESV E-Bike, EAGLE Golf, SAMPO, and Departure will be up for grabs for the first Ace on Hole 3, 7, 12, 16 respectively.

The competition layout is set at 6,357 yards. A cut will be made after 36 holes to send the top-50 and ties into Friday’s final round.