Teen golfer Gia Hân gets in the swing of things

Golf

Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân tees off at the 2024 Việt Nam National Golf Championships on August 14 in Hải Phòng City. VNS Photos Hồ Như Ý

Thanh Hà

Youth, determination and passion were nearly enough to make Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân the youngest national golf champion in Vietnamese history.

Competing in the 2024 Việt Nam National Golf Championships, the 13-year-old left a strong impression on officials, supporters, and experts alike. Though she didn’t take home the trophy, many believe that with more experience and a bit of luck, her time will come.

Hân was one of the youngest competitors among the 30 female players who teed off at the challenging Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng course. Despite facing seasoned professionals and top national amateurs like Nguyễn Thảo My and defending champion Lê Chúc An, Hân soared to the top of the leaderboard during the first two rounds, surprising many.

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Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân impresses people with her brilliant performance at the age of 13. — VNS Photo Hồ Như Ý

After sharing the top spot with An following the third round, Hân was unfortunately overtaken in the final round’s last holes, finishing with the silver medal — her first podium finish in three attempts at the national championships.

“I’m pretty pleased with the result, although there’s a little regret because I could have done better,” Hân said.

“In 2023, I improved on my 2022 performance, and this year, I’ve made remarkable progress compared to previous years. This will be a motivation for me in coming tournaments.”

Hân first took up golf at the age of seven, joining her family on the course two to three times a month. While other girls her age played with dolls, Hân was mastering chips, putts, pins, and swings at the Els Performance Golf Academy. For her, golf wasn’t just a sport — it was an active game that fuelled her curiosity.

Recognising her talent and passion, Hân’s family, especially her father Nguyễn Viết Thành, heavily invested in her training. They hired a South African coach to guide her from an early age. Her father also regularly took her to the course, practising with her to refine her technique and allowing her to learn from other golfers.

Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân seen in action in the second round of the 2024 Việt Nam National Golf Championships in Hải Phòng City. — VNS Photo Hồ Như Ý

Four years later, Hân began participating in junior tournaments, quickly making a name for herself with her first medals, including third place at the national championship and a top position at the Amber Hills-Opening Tournament, both in 2020.

Lê Hùng Nam, former Việt Nam Golf Association (VGA) general secretary, was so impressed by Hân that he encouraged her to compete in the 2022 National Golf Championship. Despite being only 11 years old at the time, Hân accepted the challenge.

Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân has played golf for five years and recorded a number of junior titles. — VNS Photo Hồ Như Ý

“I knew it was a daunting task for me at that age and level, but I saw it as an opportunity to explore the field of golf. I was excited to be part of the game and tried to enjoy my play,” Hân said.

She made history as the youngest player in the tournament’s 16-year history and finished in an impressive sixth place.

A year later, Hân repeated her sixth-place finish, still the youngest competitor. This year, she made a significant leap to second place, a result that signals her potential to challenge even the most senior golfers in future competitions.

In 2024, Hân also demonstrated her growing competitiveness with a second-place finish at the Hanoi Junior Tour’s third leg in January, a victory at the VGA Junior Tour’s fourth leg in May, a top place in Group B at the 2024 Singapore Golf Junior Championship, and a third-place finish at the Vietnam Ladies Amateur Open in June.

Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân (2nd left) on the second podium of the 2024 Việt Nam National Golf Championships on August 17 in Hải Phòng City. VNS Photo Hồ Như Ý

Her success at the VGA Junior Tour earned Hân a spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, where she is currently ranked No 616 and is one of only seven Vietnamese golfers on the list.

Given her strong performance at the national championships, Hân is likely to secure a place on the national team representing Việt Nam at international tournaments, including the 33rd SEA Games in 2025.

Many experts, including VGA officials, believe that Hân will quickly mature and become one of the leading female golfers in Việt Nam in the near future. VNS