Golf

British golfer Malcolm MacKenzie scores a hole in one at the hole 13 par 3 of the Vinpearl DIC Legends Việt Nam 2023 on December 1 in Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa. Photo of organisers

NHA TRANG — Malcolm MacKenzie secured a hole-in-one on the second day of the Vinpearl DIC Legends Việt Nam 2023 on December 1 in Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Province.

At the par 3 13th hole of Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang, the legendary British golfer made a beautiful swing that took the ball over a distance of more than 170m to go straight into the hole.

Hole 13 is considered the visual representation of Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang, with brilliant sea views alongside forests. At the same time, it creates many challenges for golfers due to wind, undulating terrain and deep bunkers.

As per rules, the HIO prizes of the DIC Legends event is located at holes 3 and 16, applicable to both professional and amateur athletes.

Hole 13 is not applied for the special prize so MacKenzie could not bring home a VinFast VF9 car but he received many other valuable rewards including a vacation at Vinpearl for the whole family valued at VNĐ350 million (US$14,400).

In addition, DIC Group also awarded golfer MacKenzie a vacation worth VNĐ100 million at Pullman Vũng Tàu Hotel, part of DIC Group's resort system.

During his career, MacKenzie mainly played on the European Tour and won at the Novotel Perrier Open de France 2002.

At the DIC Legends, MacKenzie scored seven-over-par after eight bogeys and one birdie on November 30.

A day later, the 62-year-old golfer had seven bogeys after the first 12 holes before achieving the HIO on hole 13, where he took four strokes to complete the previous day.

The DIC Legends features 60 legendary golfers and 30 amateur players in 30 teams.

The 15 amateur players with the best gross will be selected to compete for the prestigious Best Amateur prize on December 2.

At the same time, the golf legends will compete to take the coveted Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023 trophy.

The top three will receive a share of $200,000 worth of prizes and the tournament champion will walk away with the prestigious cup was designed to resemble a traditional Vietnamese bronze drum.

Vinpearl DIC Legends makes Việt Nam the first country in Southeast Asia to participate in a series of prestigious and large-scale tournaments of the European Legends Tour.

The tournament is expected to push the development of the national tourism industry and lift the images of Việt Nam internationally.

It is also an important activity to strengthen the trade cooperation and friendship between Việt Nam and UK when the two countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. VNS