The brainchild of the sponsor company’s Chairman, George Wong, the event is modelled on the US Masters and has been played since 1987.

While it only joined the Asian Tour in 2004, the tournament has proved popular and boasts some impressive names on the winner’s list.

More than just the annual event, however, the tournament and host course at Taiwan Golf and Country Club have been pivotal in providing opportunities for local elite amateurs and young professionals to test their game.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchi survived an early double bogey in the final round to claim his maiden Asian Tour title in 2019. Starting the final day one shot behind 54-hole leaders Ajeetesh Sandhu of India and Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena, Suradit only needed a two-under-par 70 to claim victory as the challengers struggled to hold their nerve.

COURSE: Tawian Golf and Country Club is the nation’s oldest course with a history dating back to 2014.

RIGHT: Asian Tour veteran Berry Henson has a good record here and is one to watch in Taiwan. PHOTO: Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images.​

Starting life as just a three hole layout, the course slowly evolved until Japanese golf architect Shiro Akaboshi laid out the full 18 holes in the late 1920s/early 1930s.

Akaboshi was also the designer of the Olympic host course, Kasumagaseki Golf Club, in Japan.

Cut through a forest at the foothills of the Tatun mountains, the course is narrow and heavily tree lined placing a premium on accuracy.

The terrain is hilly and scoring is further complicated by frequent strong breezes courtesy off the nearby Taiwan Strait and Tamusoi River which run close to the course.

At a tick under 7,000 yards (6,300 metres) the course is not long but nor is it easy with the winning total generally in single figures under par.

Only five times since 2000 has double digits under par won the event and never have two players finished double digits under par in the same week.

The downhill, par-5 6th is the most visually stunning on the course with the Tamusoi River as a backdrop and a heavily bunkered green to contend with.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: There is historically a large local presence in this field and that’s the case again this year with Taiwanese players filling more than 50 places in the field.

However, a strong international presence is also on hand with last week’s winner Travis Smyth among the favourites following a superb display at the Yeangder TPC.

It was an impressive display from the 27-year-old who will have the benefit of no travel for the week thanks to the two courses being less than an hour apart.

Also putting in a good showing last week was long time Asian Tour player, Berry Henson of America.

Henson has missed just two cuts this season and was runner-up here in 2018 so has played the course well at times.

Brazil’s Adilson da Silva has been a regular contender at this event and while not at his best made the cut last week at the Yeangder tournament.

Da Silva won this event in 2018 but has been runner-up on three other occasions since 2014 so will like his chances this week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 274 (-14, Tsai Chi-huang, 2002)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Scott Hend (2013)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Travis Smyth, Jake Higginbottom, Josh Younger, Daniel Fox, Scott Strange, Ben Eccles, Sam Brazel and Kevin Yuan.