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Mercuries Taiwan Masters to offer record US$500,000 purse

The Mercuries Taiwan Masters will mark its 20th anniversary next month by offering record prize money of US$500,000 to the Asian Tour stars.

Long regarded as one of Chinese Taipei's top events, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters will be played from September 28 to October 1 at its permanent home, the Taiwan Golf and Country Club's Tamsui course.

Defending champion and local talent Lu Wei-chih will defend his crown against a top field which will include reigning Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant, who himself is a former winner of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, and past champions Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand, Lu Wen-teh and Wang Ter-chang, both from Chinese Taipei, and American Gerry Norquist.

"We are delighted to announce an increase of US$100,000 to the total prize fund for this year's tournament," said Mercuries Group Chairman, Henry Chen.

"The Mercuries Taiwan Masters is one of the most important golf tournaments in Chinese Taipei and we believe the record prize fund of US$500,000 will reflect positively on our growth as we celebrate an historic milestone with our 20th anniversary."

George Wong, the chairman of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, added that the prestigious tournament would continue to support Asian golf. "This tournament has long created new stars of the game in Chinese Taipei and Asia and we hope to continue this trend, being our contribution towards this wonderful game of golf," said Wong.

Since its inception in 1987, great champions have emerged, including the likes of Hsieh Min-nan, the victorious two-time Asian captain of the Visa Dynasty Cup, Chen Tze-chung, Lin Keng-chi, Tsi Chi-huang and Hsieh Yu-shu.

A new golden generation of Chinese Taipei golfers are now emerging and have used the Mercuries Taiwan Masters as a springboard to greater things. Lin Wen-ko claimed the title in 2003 while Lu Wei-chih announced his arrival on the Asian Tour stage with a memorable triumph last season.

Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin welcomed the hike in prize money and is optimistic that this year's milestone would be a memorable one.

"Asian players need a platform to perform and the Mercuries Taiwan Masters has for a long period of time provided a great avenue for them to showcase their talents," said Martin. "Last year, we celebrated a wonderful winner in Lu Wei-chih and it is through the continued support of the Mercuries Group that we will have the opportunity to crown another great champion this year. We salute them for their patronage."

The famed Tamsui course is known as the "Cradle of Golfers" where some of Chinese Taipei's legendary players including Hsieh and Lu Liang-huan, famed for finishing runner-up at the 1971 British Open, honed their talents on this golf course.

Tamsui is also Lu Wei-chih's home course and he broke down in tears after winning with a four-under-par 284 aggregate in 2005.

"I'm so happy, it's a real pleasure to win on my own course," said Lu. "So many people have helped in my career including my family and I'm just so pleased to repay their faith."

August 1, 2006