Dallas, Texas, United States: Nguyen Anh Minh’s brilliant run to the final at the 77th US Junior Amateur has underscored the Vietnamese teenager’s standing as one of golf’s brightest young prospects.
Although the 18-year-old suffered an agonising 2&1 defeat to American Hamilton Coleman in the 36-hole championship match at Trinity Forest Golf Club, his achievement at becoming the first player from Vietnam to reach the final of a USGA event has further elevated his stock.
“Congratulations to Anh Minh on an outstanding effort,” said Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).
“As well as being a stalwart of our last two triumphant Bonallack Trophy teams, he led Vietnam to their first success in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup last year. Not only is he a fabulous golfer, but also he’s an impressive young man. I believe he’ll go on to do great things for our region,” added Amin.
An incoming Oregon State freshman, Anh Minh was only the 14th international player to reach a US Junior Amateur final.
In so doing he achieved another notable milestone – breaking into the top-50 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) for the first time.
Climbing 10 spots to 42nd, Anh Minh is now the highest rated Asia-Pacific player in the standings, overhauling Singapore’s Hiroshi Tai (46th) and China’s Paul Chang (47th).
For his part, Anh Minh said he hoped his efforts would inspire youngsters in Vietnam.
He said: “Golf’s been growing a lot (in Vietnam). It’s really good to see all the kids playing golf now back home, to see them working. Hopefully we can see them here one day at the US Junior or in any USGA event.
“I’m pretty excited for the future for our country. Hopefully this will motivate them. Hopefully they can look back and see: ‘Hey, we have a chance’.”
Meanwhile, China’s Wu Qiyou also enjoyed a significant rise in the WAGR after reaching the semi-finals at the US Junior Amateur where he was ousted 4&3 by Anh Minh. Wu has soared 50 spots to 241st.
