With his 2026 Asian Tour card on the line, Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao opened the US$400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open with a superb seven-under 65 on Thursday. The 33-year-old, who has kept his card for 12 straight years but struggled this season with seven missed cuts in 11 starts, returned to form at Taifong Golf Club — where he won in 2022 on the Asian Development Tour.
Hung leads by two over Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai (67) after play was suspended late in the evening, with two groups still on course. Malaysia’s Ervin Chang, Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Korea’s Wooyoung Cho and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig carded 68s, while India’s Viraj Madappa and several others sit at 69. The second round will resume Friday after the remaining players complete round one.
A switch to a long putter has helped Hung regain confidence, and despite battling illness last week in Singapore, he said he is feeling better and focused on playing freely as he hunts a strong finish to keep his Tour streak alive. “There is no pressure… I just want to play my best,” he said, crediting improved iron play and solid mid-range putting.
Poosit, still seeking his maiden Asian Tour win, kept mistakes to a minimum with accurate ball-striking, while Chang continued his encouraging form as he chases a high finish to secure his status. Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan also impressed with a fast start as players compete in the 18th leg of the 2025 Asian Tour season, with only three events remaining.
