Returning after a COVID enforced hiatus, the event is back at its traditional home of Linkou International Golf and Country Club with a field dominated by local players as some of Asia’s bigger names take a week off or compete in other parts of the world.
An often tough week scoring wise, the 2019 event saw the lowest winning score by a whopping six shots that marked the first time the winning total was in excess of 20-under-par.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Korea’s Yi-Keun Chang claimed his first Asian Tour win here in 2019 and his third win as a professional when he reached 21-under.
Closing with a Sunday 66, Chang finished up a three shot winner over Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand.
COURSE: Host of this event since its debut in 2010, Linkou International Golf and Country Club takes center stage again this week.
RIGHT: Yi-Keun Chang won this event the last time it was played in 2019, with the tournament returning for the first time since COVID this week. PHOTO: Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images.
The 7,125 yard layout may be well established as a tournament host, yet there are scarce details about the course beyond its role at this event.
Claustrophobically tree-lined, Linkou features a majority of holes that bend one way or the other about halfway through the journey before raised greens (sometimes two per hole as is common in Asia) are protected by bunkers.
No designer is attributed with the design of the course that opened in the 1960s.
PRIZE MONEY: US$700,000
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Boom teenager Ratchanon Chantananuwat will like his chances of adding a second Asian Tour win to his resume before he turns 16th birthday, or at the very least contending this week.
Winning again would be a significant achievement for any player in their first year of regularly playing on Tour, but this is a special amateur talent who will have gained priceless experience competing up close with some of the biggest names in the game when playing LIV Golf events this year.
Another to benefit from a few starts on the Greg Norman led disruptor league is Aussie Travis Smith who is now an experienced campaigner in Asia.
The New South Welshman has put some good money in the bank this year to allow him to play with more freedom and at times this year has found some of the best form of his professional career. A win on this Tour feels very close.
Experienced players like Shiv Kapur spirit Berry Henson are always worth keeping an eye on in events such as this, with both players knowing how to navigate a heavily tree-lined course like Linkou.
72-HOLE RECORD: 267 (Chang Yi-Keun2019)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Kevin Yuan, Cory Crawford, Scott Strange, Ben Eccles, Sam Brazel, Jack Munro, George Worrall, Travis Smyth, Jake Higginbottom and Daniel Fox.
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