Maybe Peiyun Chien should just rent an apartment in southern Alabama. The 31-year-old from Chinese Taipei is starting her third week in the area, heading to Mobile two weeks ago to prepare for the 144-hole marathon that is LPGA Q-Series. Last week, she competed in two-day competitions at both venues, taking a win at next week’s host club Highland Oaks in Dothan and finishing in a tie for fourth at Magnolia Grove.
“I think that's really good for practice, and I can know which part I need to work hard,” said Chien, who goes by the nickname Money. “Especially the green are very tough to read here.”
Chien has held Epson Tour status since 2012 and spent 2017-2020 on the LPGA Tour. After losing her card for the big tour, Chien returned to the workman’s grind in search of her game. She had early success on her home country’s TLPGA Tour, winning the 2020 Taiwan Mobile Ladies Open in December and the 2021 Hitachi Ladies Classic in January. She added a Epson Tour in August at the Circling Raven Championship in Idaho and four other top-15 finishes.
On Thursday, Chien carded seven birdies, including a near-ace at No. 17, but ended with a frustrating three-putt bogey to finish tied for the lead at -6. She felt much of her success came thanks to her comfort working with caddie Chao-Hua Lee, who looped for her at home in Chinese Taipei and who is back on the bag in Alabama.
“Our communication is pretty good. I always have a problem with caddie, so maybe my language is a little bit problem to me,” said Chien, who speaks strong English but is understandably more comfortable speaking in her native Mandarin. “I feel it's very important these two weeks, so I hope he can come and help me.”
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