Bao Phat's Victory Breeze at Hoiana Junior Golf Invitational
Danang, Vietnam: Quick learner Nguyen Bao Phat underlined his standing as one of Vietnam’s brightest golfing talents with an accomplished victory at the inaugural Hoiana Junior Golf Invitational.
Danang, Vietnam: Quick learner Nguyen Bao Phat underlined his standing as one of Vietnam’s brightest golfing talents with an accomplished victory at the inaugural Hoiana Junior Golf Invitational.
The 14-year-old from Hanoi, who models his game on English Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood, upstaged his rivals in a 40-strong field with a closing seven-under-par 64 at Hoiana Shores Golf Club on what was his first visit to the venue.
With a 54-hole aggregate of 10-under 203, Bao Phat edged China’s Zhang Aoran by one shot in the Boys' Division as well as the overall category. A further stroke back in third place was Do Duong Gia Minh, another of Vietnam’s emerging young stars.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old talent Nguyen Khanh Linh was crowned Girls’ Division champion, edging out fellow-Vietnamese Nguyen Bao Chao on a countback after both golfers finished with matching totals of two-over-par 215 . Khanh Linh closed her campaign with a solid two-under 69, which gave her the edge over Bao Chao who signed in a round of 70.
Played at the award-winning Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed Hoiana Shores Golf Club, the event was staged in partnership with the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) and endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).
The tournament brought together elite junior golfers from China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, providing young players with an opportunity to compete internationally, gain valuable tournament experience and connect with their peers beyond their home shores.
Wee Peng Siong, General Manager of Hoiana Shores Golf Club, said the tournament reflected a shared ambition between Hoiana Shores Golf Club, the VGA and the APGC to support the long-term development of junior golf through quality competition and stronger regional collaboration.
Wee said: “We are delighted to see the first Hoiana Junior Golf Invitational come to a successful conclusion. Congratulations to Bao Phat and Khanh Linh, as well as all the young golfers who competed with such passion, determination and sportsmanship.
“This first edition is an important starting point, and we hope the tournament will continue to grow and provide more opportunities for junior golfers from across the region in the years ahead.”
Bao Phat and Zhang bettered par in all three rounds over the course that staged the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2024.
While Johor Bahru-based Zhang was left to rue a three-putt bogey on the final hole, Bao Phat held his nerve to continue his upward trajectory.
Winner of this year’s Vinpearl Junior Open and runner-up in the Hanwha Life Vietnam National Junior Championship, Bao Phat began the week in 1,313th position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
“This was my first time to Hoiana Shores. The wind conditions made it difficult, especially the approach shots. My driving was the best part of my game. I was hitting most of the fairways,” said Bao Phat, who averages 260 yards with his tee shots.
Bao Phat said he hopes to progress in Vietnam over the next few years before going through the United States college system. “My eventual aim is to be a professional, like Tommy Fleetwood. He’s my favourite player. I really like his swing,” he said.
