Vietnamese golfers exit Asia’s premier tournament

The 2023 International Series Vietnam is part of the prestigious Asian Tour and the International Series, which brings together 156 golfers.

As the host of Asian Tour this year, Vietnam had 14 participating golfers, including Nguyen Anh Minh, Le Khanh Hung, Nguyen Dang Minh, Doan Uy and Dang Quang Anh in the amateur event. The pro event has Tran Le Duy Nhat, Truong Chi Quan, Dinh Song Hai, Nguyen Huu Quyet, Nguyen Tuan Kiet, Pham Minh Duc, Le Dai Duong, Doan Van Dinh and Le Viet Cuong.

However, all the domestic players were eliminated after round two. On the opening day, Vietnam had four golfers who achieved positive results and who had high chances of advancing. They were Doan Uy, Khanh Hung, Anh Minh and Duy Nhat, the later having played in 74 tournaments in Asia’s top tier golf competition Asian Tour and the second tier Asian Development Tour.

After round one, Doan Uy had the highest score among the domestic golfers, with a score of -4. Khanh Hung peaked at 62nd with -2, Anh Minh at 76th with -1 while Nhat was at 100th.

However, after the second round, Nhat’s score was -2, the same as Hung. Uy had 0 while Minh dropped to +2. The required score to pass the second round is -3.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond topped the table with a score of -13. Following Janewattananond with just one stroke away was Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe.

Jazz Janewattananond, currently holding the top of the table, hits the ball in the second round of International Series Vietnam on April 14, 2023. Photo: Asian Tour

Janewattananond, 27, is playing in both the Asian Tour and the European DP World Tour. He has attended 22 PGA Tour competitions so far, winning seven Asian titles.

The International Series Vietnam marks the return of the Asian Tour to Vietnam after an eight-year absence. The last time the Asian Tour was in Vietnam was the 2015 Ho Tram Open at The Bluffs Gold Course in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

This year’s tournament takes place from April 13-17 with a total prize of $2 million.