Golfer Nguyễn Anh Minh will compete for Arizona State University. — Photo courtesy of OSU

Golf

By Thanh Nga

Việt Nam’s leading amateur golfer, Nguyễn Anh Minh, is heading to Arizona State University in Arizona, the US, where he will join one of the most established programmes in US collegiate golf for the 2026/27 season.

Arizona State University has a strong tradition in the sport, with two NCAA Division I titles (in 1990 and 1996) and a list of alumni that includes Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Paul Casey. The programme is widely known for its competitive environment and its ability to develop players for the professional level.

For Minh, the move follows an impressive freshman season at Oregon State, where the 19-year-old golfer quickly adapted to NCAA competition.

Competing under head coach Jon Reehoorn, he finished the year ranked 33rd in the Clippd rankings and was selected for the Arnold Palmer Cup team, placing him among the top collegiate players.

He was also named a Freshman All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America and selected to the All-West Region team.

Minh's consistency stood out throughout the season. He set a new single-season scoring average record at Oregon State with 69.13 strokes over 23 rounds, including 17 rounds under par.

He also recorded three top-10 finishes and three additional top-15 results across eight tournaments, earning West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year honours.

One of the highlights came at the Bandon Dunes Collegiate, where he won the individual title at 13 under par. His opening round of 61 (-10) matched the lowest score in Oregon State history and set a new course record.

Before moving to the US, Minh had already established himself as one of Việt Nam’s top junior golfers. He competed regularly in regional and international amateur events, gaining early exposure to stronger fields despite limited domestic opportunities.

Like many young Vietnamese players, his development relied heavily on personal commitment and support from those around him, rather than a fully structured system. That background helped shape his ability to adapt.

At the national level, he has also built a strong competitive record. This year, Minh is among 10 golfers selected for Việt Nam’s squad preparing for the upcoming Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan. In terms of achievements, he is already one of the most successful players in the current national team.

He has won medals at both the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 and the 33rd SEA Games in 2025. At the Games in Thailand last year, he secured a silver medal in the individual event and a bronze medal in the team competition.

The national team is aiming to achieve its best possible result at ASIAD 20, with players in top form set to be selected for further international assignments, including tournaments in Japan this September.

At Arizona State University, the level of competition will increase further.

The squad features players from different regions, including the US, Europe and Asia. Among them is Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee, winner of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and already qualified for both the Masters and the Open in 2026.

In its announcement of his transfer, Arizona State described Minh as a humble and hardworking player, noting his positive personality and the energy he brings to those around him — qualities that are valued within a team environment.

Of course, the road ahead will not be easy. The move from Oregon to Arizona is not just a change in geography. The greater challenge lies in adapting to a new environment, a new culture, a new team structure and a higher level of internal competition. At the same time, those demands also serve as a measure of a player’s potential as he works towards the next level.

“I’m very excited to join the team this August and start working with my new teammates,” Anh Minh said.

Moving to Arizona State gives him access to a system where training and competition are closely connected, offering more opportunities to develop against stronger opposition on a regular basis.

At 19, Minh remains at an early stage of his career. Arizona State will present new challenges, but also provide the conditions needed for continued progress.

If his first collegiate season is any indication, he has the consistency and mindset to keep moving forward in a more demanding environment. — VNS