Golf

ON HIS WAY: Michael Campbell of New Zealand in action during the Staysure Seniors PGA Championship at Trump International Golf Links on August 24 in Balmedie, Scotland. The former US Open champion will be one of 60 golf legends to visit Việt Nam during the Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023. — AFP/VNA Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023 will bring world golf legends to Việt Nam at the Vinpearl Nha Trang – an entertainment and sea exploration complex nestled in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Province.

The tournament will be played from November 26 to December 2, marking the first time a competition for senior golfers under the Legends Tour has been held in Việt Nam and Southeast Asia in general.

As many as 60 elite athletes will arrive in Việt Nam to take part in the competition, which is considered a new landmark partnership between the European Legends Tour and the Viet Challenge JSC.

Among the legends are former US Open champion and eight-time European Tour winner Michael Campbell, 1991 Master champion and 2006 Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, 2004 Ryder Cup captain and four-time European Tour champion Paul McGinley and 1999 Ryder Cup captain and 18-time European Tour champion Mark James.

According to organisers, the winner of the tournament will walk away with US$500,000 and it will be increased in future events.

The partnership between Viet Challenge JSC and the Legends Tour will add a touch of sports diplomacy to mark the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and the United Kingdom this year.

CEO of the Legends Tour Phill Harrison (left) and Viet Challenge General Director Bùi Nguyễn Thăng Long at the signing ceremony of the Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023. — VNA/VNS Photo

"The Vinpearl DIC Legends Championship Vietnam 2023 has its unique format, allowing amateurs a chance to play alongside legendary golfers," said Bùi Nguyễn Thăng Long, Viet Challenge general director.

"The quality and landscape of golf in Việt Nam will also give golf enthusiasts a world-class experience, popularising Việt Nam spectacular scenery to our global friends.

"The partnership between Viet Challenge JSC and European Legends Tour is the first step in our relationship and marks a remarkable milestone for Việt Nam’s golf industry. We expect it will be a platform to elevate Việt Nam’s golf status globally."

Juergen Doerr, CEO of Vinpearl, added: “As a leading hospitality brand in the country with a diversified mix of luxury and family resorts, convention centres, restaurants, spas and golf courses in Việt Nam’s top destinations, we see it as both an honour and a responsibility to contribute to the country’s growth as a premier golf tourism destination.

“Becoming the naming partner for the first-ever Legends Tour in Southeast Asia is not just an opportunity to showcase our mission to excellence, but also a testament to the immense potential of golf tourism in Việt Nam.”

Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour was thrilled to add another exceptional destination to the Legends Tour schedule, along with a generous prize fund for the players.

A view of the Vinpearl Nha Trang golf course which will host the Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023 on November 26 - December 2. — Photo of Vinpearl Nha Trang

After the Nha Trang event, which receives strong support from DIC Group and Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, the Legends Tour will head to Mauritius for the MCB Tour Championship Final where the Legends Tour 2023 Order of Merit winner will be crowned.

The Legends Tour is the current name of the European Senior Tour and is the official tour for players over 50. It is part of the PGA European Tour alongside the DP World Tour and European Challenge Tour.

The European Senior Tour was formed in 1992 after calls from 60 leading professionals to form a senior tour, five years after the first Senior Open in 1987. In 2017 the tour was renamed the Staysure Tour after travel insurer Staysure became the first headline sponsor of the tour.

This led to a ground-breaking joint venture in 2020 between the European Tour Group and Staysure Founder and Group CEO Ryan Howsam, and the Legends Tour came into being. — VNS