The Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Taiwan LPGA Tour (TLPGA) recently announced that they will co-sanction the Wistron Ladies Open, a US$1 million tournament, set to take place at Sunrise Golf and Country Club in Taiwan on October 10-13, 2024.
Although the tournament will feature on the LET’s official schedule for the first time, the Wistron Ladies Open has been part of the TLPGA’s schedule since 2020.
The inclusion of 45 LET players in the 108-player field of competitors will create a unique international event with global exposure and provide a platform for exchange between athletes to inspire greater interest in the game of golf in Taiwan.
“We are delighted to co-sanction the Wistron Ladies Open with the Taiwan LPGA Tour. This tournament further strengthens the ecosystem of women’s professional golf, with global scheduling, increased prize funds and another exciting playing opportunity for our respective memberships,” said Alexandra Armas, the LET’s CEO.
TLPGA Chair Ms. Yi-Chen Liu commented: “We are incredibly proud to be deepening our relationship with the LET through The Wistron Ladies Open, which has been the flagship event of TLPGA Tour. Today’s announcement underlines our commitment to enhancing our tour on international grounds and connecting with other tours around the world for the betterment of our players and our sport globally. And as the host tour, we would like to greet the players from various areas in Europe, and to have a pleasant and memorable experience in Taiwan.”
The tournament will benefit from the continued sponsorship of Wistron Corporation, a global leading technology service provider, which supplies information and communications products, service solutions and systems to top brands in the ICT industry worldwide.
Wistron has been an important partner of the TLPGA since 2006 and has sponsored the Wistron Ladies Open since 2020. The prize money has steadily increased year on year and, in 2024, Wistron has announced yet another prize money increase from US$800,000 in 2023 to US$1 million. This is the highest-paying tournament on the 2024 TLPGA Tour.
Jeff Lin, Wistron President and CEO, said: “We are thrilled that the Ladies European Tour and Taiwan LPGA Tour will co-sanction the Wistron Ladies Open. Wistron and golf share a culture centred on resilience, sustainability and innovation. We will continue to strengthen our tournament to deliver the best experience to all local and international golfers and fans.”
A lot will be at stake when the Wistron Ladies Open tees off at Sunrise Golf and Country Club. Besides the first prize cheque of US$200,000, the winner will have their name engraved on a symbolic trophy, inspired by the famous Claret Jug, which bears the name of all past champions. There is expected to be a star-studded line-up. Past participants include Yani Tseng, who won the 2011 LPGA Taiwan Championship at Sunrise Golf and Country Club.
Set at 6,413 yards long for the week, the challenging Sunrise layout has tested some of the best players in the world. It became the venue of many high-profile international events such as the LPGA Taiwan Championship and the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade.
The LET last visited Taiwan in 2001, when Raquel Carriedo won the Taiwan Ladies Open at Ta Shee Golf and Country Club. The Sunrise Cup, won by Helen Alfredsson and Liselotte Neumann, was also played in Taipei in 1992.
