Vietnam’s SEA Games Heroes Reap Rewards

Singapore: Vietnamese golfers are reaping the rewards of their history-making performances at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

In the wake of their stunning efforts at Phnom Penh’s Garden City Golf Club, Le Khanh Hung, Nguyen Anh Minh, Nguyen Dang Minh and Uy Doan have all made notable progress in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

Khanh Hung, Anh Minh, Dang Minh and Doan all played a part in helping Vietnam to the men’s team silver medal, narrowly losing out to favourites Thailand in the final.

In the men’s individual tournament, Khanh Hung struck gold and Anh Minh claimed the bronze medal, upstaging players ranked far ahead of them in the WAGR. Thanks to those displays, though, the balance is beginning to be redressed.

In the latest rankings, Khanh Hung has jumped 174 places to 361st – the first time he’s been in the top-400.

Anh Minh remains the country’s highest-ranked male, up 22 places to 221st.

Minh Dang, meanwhile, has improved his status by 75 spots to 1,443rd, while Doan is up 255 places to 3,658th.

As well as being feted on their return to their home country, Khanh Hung and Anh Ming received financial rewards from the Vietnam Golf Association.

Khanh Hung was awarded 50 million VND (about US$2,100) and a Certificate of Merit with Anh Minh receiving 20 million VND (about US$850) and a Certificate of Merit.

Also making progress in the standings was Malaysian Malcolm Ting. The men’s individual silver medallist has broken into the top-200 for the first time, going up 26 rungs to 192nd.

The Malaysian women also fared well in the individual tournament in Cambodia, Ng Jing Xuen capturing the gold and Foong Xu Yi the bronze.

Ng has risen 43 spots to 328th with Foong ascending 53 places to 542nd.

Thai Eila Galitsky is upto 100th following her silver medal that adds to her victory in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in March.