Golf 

Nguyễn Đức Sơn will defend his title in the National Golf Championships 2025 on August 18-23 in Gia Lai Province. Photo courtesy of Tiền Phong newspaper

HÀ NỘI  Nguyễn Đức Sơn and Lê Chúc An will defend their titles in the National Golf Championships 2025, which is slated for August 18-23 in Gia Lai Province.

The largest and most prestigious tournament for Vietnamese citizens will gather 150 of the best golfers to compete in both men's and women's categories.

A total of VNĐ1.2 billion (US$45,800) is up for grabs, while a big bonus is available for the winner of the Hole-in-One prize at the FLC Golf Links Quy Nhơn.

Last year, Sơn crushed all of his rivals to dominate the tournament, while An overcame her opponent in the last few holes to become the first female player to successfully defend her title at Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

"The title changed my life, giving me opportunities to compete in many major tournaments locally and internationally," 18-year-old Sơn said at a press conference held on Sunday in Hà Nội.

"For Quy Nhơn this year, I feel that I am not as good as I was last year. However, I will perform to the best of my ability. I hope I can defend my title." 

At the FLC Golf Links, Sơn will face talents like Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, last year's runner-up; Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng, winner of the US 2025 World Stars Junior Golf Championship; and rising stars like Lê Minh Nghĩa, Đỗ Dương Gia Minh, Trần Thế Bảo and Hà Nam Khánh, who are ready to surprise onlookers with their results in the men's competition.

"I played there twice and found it was a difficult course, because of the wind and tough greens. But let's see how I perform now. I hope I can achieve my target," Sơn said.

Meanwhile in the women's class, 17-year-old An will also face strong golfers, including last year's silver medalist Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân; Đoàn Xuân Khuê Minh, the 2022 winner; Lê Thị Thanh Thúy, an experienced former national team member; and Tran Arena, an up-and-coming young player. 

Lê Chúc An is congratulated by other golfers after winning the national championship last year.  Photo of Tiền Phong newspaper

“The championship title is a strong motivation for me to work harder every day for my third win in a row," said An, who would make history if it all goes according to plan.

Players will compete in four rounds of 18 holes in a stroke play format over four days. After two days, the organisers will make a cut, with the top 50 men and 12 women advancing to the next stage.

Golfers with the best gross score will lift the championship trophies.

"After three seasons, the national championships brought out great champions and outstanding players," said Phùng Công Sưởng, editor-in-chief of the Tiền Phong newspaper and co-head of the tournament.

"Many of the current top players in the nation have taken part in our tournament and made remarkable growth. Among them are former two-time champion Nguyễn Anh Minh, who claimed silver at the US Junior Amateur 2025, and former first runner-up Lê Khánh Hưng, who won the SEA Games gold medal in 2023."

A press conference announcing the National Golf Championship 2025 on August 4 in Hà Nội. -- Photo of Tiền Phong newspaper

According to the organisers, national coaches will also keep their eyes on the tournament, as they will pick the team's members from among the competitors to head to the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in December.

In the previous SEA Games in 2023, Hưng won the first ever gold for Việt Nam and Minh earned the bronze in the men's singles, as well as a silver in the men's team event.

At the press conference, Nguyễn Văn Ý, deputy director of Gia Lai Province's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said hosting the tournament was of great significance to Gia Lai after its recent merger with Bình Thuận province.

"It is not only a national sporting event, but also an opportunity to promote the newly enlarged Gia Lai as a new development space in harmony between the plateau and the sea. We wish to show people a dynamic and creative Gia Lai as an attractive destination," he said. 

Windy conditions and tough greens at the FLC Golf Links will be a big challenge for competitors.  Photo of Tiền Phong newspaper

Gia Lai is currently the second largest province in the country, with diverse terrain from blue seas to cool Central Highlands mountains. Home to two airports and an expressway that is about to be built, Gia Lai is gradually completing massive infrastructure projects, attracting both tourists and investors, with a focus on developing golf tourism. VNS