The Hitachi Air Conditioning Ladies Classic will return to the Sunrise Golf & Country Club on Jan 10. as the 2025 Taiwan LPGA Tour gets rolling.

Annual proceeds from the tournament will be used to endow local charities. Over the past sixteen years, the donation amount has reached well over NT$100 million. This year’s donation will benefit eleven charitable organizations in the Taoyuan area.

This week’s field features 108 players from Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, headlined by defending champion and 2024 TLPGA Tour year-end money winner Chien Pei-Yun (錢珮芸).

“Winning at the HALC is special. It has always been the one of the first pro events worldwide in every year. Everyone would want to begin the new year on a great note,” said Chien. “Thank you to Hitachi, all the sponsors, and the TLPGA for such a wonderful event that I’m genuinely proud and happy every year to be a part of. And thanks to the Sunrise Club for hosting and providing this beautiful and fun layout. Also, I would like to extend my thank you to the staffs and volunteers for making it happen.”

Former champion Tsai Pei-Ying (蔡佩穎), Lee Min (李旻), and four-time 2024 TLPGA winner P. K. Kongkraphan from Thailand are some of the top contenders.

Chang Ching-Ling (張靖翎), Juliana Hung (洪玉霖), Jessica Peng (彭婕), and the Hou sisters, Yu-Sang (侯羽桑) and Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔) are also looming to challenge for Sunday’s title.

The Hitachi Air Conditioning Ladies Classic will play through 54 holes with a stroke play format. Winner of the event will take away a NT$2.5 million cash check, from a NT$10 million prize pool.

The Hitachi Air Conditioning Ladies Classic is presented by Hitachi (Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Taiwan).

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Taiwan representative Shinichi Iizuka said it is a true honor for Hitachi lift the curtain on the TLPGA Tour for another year. In fact, this is already the 17th edition of Hitachi Classic—one of the oldest events on the tour.

“This is one of our social responsibilities to the golf community. We aim to see the development of sport while it creates financial support for the locals through our charitable giving initiatives,” said Iizuka. “I’m very delighted to be here personally to witness the amazing skills from the ladies, and I believe this is a great way to celebrate Hitachi’s 60th year in Taiwan!”

The competition layout is set at 6,391 yards long. The players tested the Sunrise conditions for one last time today at the traditional Pro-Am.

First round play begins on Friday at 7:30 am. From the first and tenth tees. A hole-in-one prize of a Hitachi Air-Conditioner will be up for grabs on the 16th hole for every ace.