Golf

Nguyễn Đức Sơn and Lê Chúc An celebrate their National Golf Championships victory on August 17 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng. Photos of organisers

HẢI PHÒNG — A bogey in the last hole could not prevent Nguyễn Đức Sơn from winning the title and setting a new record at the Việt Nam National Golf Championships on August 17 in Hải Phòng.

The teenager topped the men's division with a 6-under 282 which is the best ever result at the national championship history.

He was followed by Nguyễn Tuấn Anh who made the most impressive performance of the day but it was not enough to bring him gold. Anh scored 3-under 285 to have silver.

The third position went to Đoàn Uy who took lead after the first two rounds but failed to maintain his peak until the end. Uy made a final result of 4-over 292.

Nguyễn Đức Sơn seen in action during the last round of the National Golf Championships victory on August 17 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

In the last day of competition, Sơn was temporally leading the ranking with two strokes better than Anh and Uy.

The 17-year-old nearly had a bogey-free round before he made mistake at the last hole No 18. Earlier, he bagged five birdies in holes 6, 9, 11, 16, 17 and even pars in 12 others.

The national team member concluded the day with 68 strokes and was congratulated by his family and supporters for an outstanding success.

"It is a tense round for me but when I get a birdie at hole 17 I believe that I win the championship," said Sơn.

"I have a good performance today, playing better than my ability. Everything is perfect and I have nothing to regret. Now I am extremely happy.

"Coming to this tournament I just want to learn from golfers, sharpen my skills and do my best. The title is a surprise for me because I did not think I can play so well.

"My two rivals are strong and they create many challenges for me today. Luckily, I succeed and overcome them to take the trophy.

"This is an important title, my first national championship victory. I am proud of myself and will work hard for better in the future," Sơn said.

Lê Chúc An is the first lady to defend her title at the National Golf Championships.

In the women's class, Lê Chúc An successfully defended her title although she previously said her target was to play better than last year.

An and Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân shared the leading role with same score of 1-under 215 before the last round.

An suffered triple bogey at hole No 6 and a bogey at hole No 10 while she had only two birdies to record 2-over 74, that made many people think that her chance to win was over.

But Hân was even worse. The 13-year-old took two birdies but conceded two double bogeys and two bogeys for a 4-over 76.

With the final score of 1-over 289, An, 16, topped the ranking and became the first Vietnamese woman who could defend title in history.

Hân came second and Ngô Vĩnh Hòa was at third with 4-over 292.

Nguyễn Đức Sơn and Lê Chúc An hold their National Golf Championships trophy on August 17 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

“I am very happy to win the tournament. This is the motivation for me to continue improving my level that would help me feel confident heading to the 33rd SEA Games in 2025", An said.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony, Phùng Công Sưởng, co-head of the organising committee said that during four days of competition, golfers successful overcame tough challenges created to make the tournament more difficult than ever.

He believed that from this solid foundation, players would be strongly motivated to step into international arenas and conquer new heights. - VNS