Ekpharit Wu [main picture] defends his Taiwan Glass Taifong Open title this week, attempting to make it a hattrick of wins for Thai players in the tournament.

His countryman Suteepat Prateeptienchai was triumphant here at Taifong Golf Club, on the west coast of Chinese Taipei, in 2023 and 2024 – having finished second in 2022, when it was part of the Asian Development Tour

Wu is getting the chance to defend much earlier than expected as the event was played in November last year and he is upbeat ahead of tomorrow’s first round.

He said: “It is very special to be a defending champion on the Asian Tour. I will try and do my best.  To be honest, I want to be a champion again, that’s what I want. I try to beat the other players in every tournament.”

His victory last year was his first on the Asian Tour, in his rookie season, having negotiated the 2025 Qualifying School at the end of 2024.

He finished 17^th at the School but was in danger of losing his card until everything came together at the right time in Taifong.

Ekpharit Wu with his father and wife, Pam, last year. Pictures courtesy Taiwan PGA.

He shot a five-under par 67 round on Sunday to win by two shots from Chinese-Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao, who bogeyed 15 and 16 to leave the door open for the rising Thai star.

Ekpharit jump from 73rd to 28th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and with a new found confidence went on to tie for third in the Bharath Classic later in the month. He finished 24^th on the final Merit list and was beaten to Rookie of the Year Award by American Olle Schniederjans, who ended in 13^th place.

Last year’s success here was particularly special as Epkpharit’s wife, Pam, was caddying for him, while his father is a Chinese Taipei native.

“I was lucky because my dad was there that week, so he came to cheer me on,” said 26-year-old, who turned professional in 2020 and is a two-time winner on the All Thailand Golf Tour, having won back-to-back titles in 2024.

“I hit a lot of a good shots that week and had a hole in one. I made birdies from a lot of good putting, so on that week I was very confident.”

He aced the par-three eighth on day three helping him to finish one shot behind Hung heading into the final round.

He said: “Last year had everything for me, like it was amazing for me. Normally my dad doesn’t go to watch me, although my wife always carries my bag. It had a lot there, so yep, I was very happy for that.”

Hung is also back this week. He won this tournament in 2020, capitalising on the absence of foreign players due to travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic.

His compatriot Chan Shih-chang will be bidding for a fourth title, having claimed the event a record three times, in 2010, 2014 and 2018.