Hou Vivian Yu-Chiang (侯羽薔) and Joy Chou (周咨佑) both fired 6-under 66s to share the opening-round lead at the 2026 KENDA Tires TLPGA Open, a TLPGA Tour and the Ladies Philippines Golf Tour (LPGT) co-sanctioned tournament.

Huang Ching (黃靖) carded a 67 to sit tied for third alongside Thailand’s Nook Sukapan, Japan’s Harumi Yoshikuwa, Malaysia’s Genevieve Ling, and LPGT standout Florence Yvon Bisera. Amateur contender Lin Jie-En (林潔恩) signed for a 68 to join Chou Yi-Tsen (周怡岑) in a tie for eighth, just two shots off the lead.

“My career-low is a 64 back in college, so today’s 66 is definitely my best round since turning pro,” said Joy Chou, who highlighted her day with an eagle on the par-4 2nd hole. After a driver down the right side left her with just 90 yards in, she holed out her second shot from the fairway. “I didn’t even realize it went in until I heard my playing partners started cheering.”

“Over the past few months, I’ve really been focusing on building consistency both technically and mentally,” Chou added. “Even though I came up short in the first round of the JLPGA Q-School, I still feel like I’m moving in the right direction. Instead of chasing flags too aggressively and taking bad lines like I used to, my course management has definitely matured.”

Hou Vivian Yu-Chiang, who recently advanced through the second stage of the JLPGA Q-School, started her round on the back nine. After turning at even par with a birdie and a bogey, Hou caught fire on Taichung International Country Club’s front nine (her back nine), blistering the layout with a 6-under 30 to claim her share of the lead.

“After the Taiwan Foxconn Ladies Golf Tournament in March, I picked up a left wrist injury and had to step away for a bit before coming back in June to prepare for the JLPGA Q-School,” Hou said. “It’s been a slow process trying to get back on track, but seeing the results pay off feels great. My game plan execution felt very solid today, aside from a three-putt on the 18th, I made everything I needed to. Also, the course conditions and greens here at Taichung International are amazing. It was a real joy throughout today.”

Huang Ching, sitting in a tie for third, has split her time between the TLPGA and China LPGA Tours since winning the ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters in February. “I also spent some time training in Korea recently, but coming back took a bit of an adjustment. My game was still pretty rough at the Straits Cup earlier this month,” Huang said. “So, I’ve been working my way up pretty hard, and today finally, I felt a lot more confident out there. I just hope to keep this momentum going.”

Bisera was thrilled with her first-round 67, marking her best single-round score on the TLPGA Tour to date. Starting on the 10th tee, she electrified her front nine just before the turn by stringing together a 3-wood and a crisp chip for an eagle on the 18th. “My irons were working well today, which made up for a few bad tee shots and gave me plenty of scoring chances,” Bisera said. “The putter matched up well, especially on the 3rd hole where I drained a 20-footer. I am happy with how today went.”

Ling also carded a 67, matching her second-lowest round of the year. “I was pretty aggressive today. And all the risk-taking paid off well,” Ling said. “Taichung International is in awesome shape like always, I enjoy playing here."

Harumi Yoshikuwa, who claimed her maiden TLPGA Tour title at last month’s YTS & SUNCITY Futures and recently passed the JLPGA Q-School stage two, returned to Taiwan with some sharp form. “The greens are rolling pretty fast this week, so I spent practice day working a lot on my putting feel, which is key to my performance today,” Yoshikuwa said. After battling four days of torrential rain during a grueling JLPGA Q-Test earlier this month, Yoshikuwa took time to fully recharge, bringing that refreshed momentum straight to Taiwan.

A cut will be made after tomorrow’s second round, sending only the top-50 and ties into Friday’s finale.