2013 Hitachi Ladies Classics is about to lift its curtain on 18 Jan. at the Orient Golf & Country Club, where an intriguing list of players, including Thai prodigy Phatlum Pornanong, Japan’s Kuniko Maeda and no.39 on JLPGA Money List, defending champion Teresa Lu (盧曉晴), will all be in action over three days and 54 holes of competition.

The purse of this year’s Hitachi Ladies Classics was increased to a total of NT$10 million from NT$8 million in 2012, and the champion will receive NT$2.5 million.

2013 Hitachi Ladies Classics lost a stellar name as Japanese sensation Miki Misaki had to withdraw due to an injury, for the first time in five years. However, fans shall be delighted with the return of 2011 champion Pornanong. The Asian “Pink Panther” has been making her way steadily on the LPGA Tour, winning the 2012 HSBA Brazil Cup by 4 strokes to Taiwan’s Amy Hung, and is undisputedly one of the huge favorites coming on Friday.

No.1 on 2012 LAGT Official Money List, Kongkraphan Patcharajutar, winning the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Ladies Open three months ago, will also be seeking her first TLPGA Tour title. She finished with a tie for 13th at the LAGT and TLPGA co-sanctioned TLPGA&Royal Open last week. Pornanong and Patcharajutar will lead a party of 13 from Thailand with all eyes on the trophy and the largest-ever winner paycheck in tournament history.

The course that will be featured in this weekend’s tournament, Orient Golf & Country Club, is designed by American Ronald Fream. At just over 6,500 yards, the course is proud with its visually pleasing landscape and one of the finest grasses for the greens – Tiffeagle.

The Tournament is presented by Hitachi Ltd. and Taiwan Hitachi Co., Ltd.. All ticket revenue will be donated to eight charitable organizations around Taiwan.