NGUYEN’S WIN KEEPS TITLE IN VIETNAM
Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Son prevailed in the playoff to win the Faldo Series Asia Grand Finale.
Nguyen Duc Son held his nerve in a dramatic second extra-hole shootout to win the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in style in Central Vietnam this week. A final round of 69 saw Son take top honours at the event’s returned to Laguna Golf Lang Co, the home hub of the Faldo Series Asia since 2017.
The 17-year-old became the second successive Faldo Series Asia Champion from Vietnam, following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Nguyen Anh Minh. Son closed out Masato Sumiuchi from Japan in a playoff clincher on the par-5 final hole on the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design.
Vietnamese youngster Doan Uy was tied with Wang Ngai Shen from Hong Kong in third place. Other Vietnamese in the top ten were Le Chuc An (5th) and Le Nguyen Minh Anh (9th).
The strong showing from the young Vietnamese was further proof of the progress being made to grow the game in the nation. Son’s triumph in Lang Co follows hot on the heels of Nguyen Anh Minh snaring victory in the TaiwanChina Championship earlier in April.
Son was a model of consistency throughout the 54-hole stroke-play tournament which featured around 50 talented youngsters from 12 different nations around Asia as well as Australia. But Son was the undoubted star of the show.
“What an incredible week. You’ll need to give me a moment to catch my breath after that,” said Sir Nick Faldo, who was present throughout the week to mentor junior players. Faldo offered some tips on technique to Son at a special golf clinic following the first round of the tournament. These pointers helped him to improve his form during his final two rounds.
Inaugurated by Faldo after his victory at the 1996 US Masters, the Faldo Series is recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls. Competitors from ages 12 to 21 can test themselves against the very best juniors around the world.
The Series has been a proven success as a pathway for players to reach the game’s top levels, with over 70 Faldo Series competitors now playing on professional tours.
Notable alumni include Major winners Rory Mcilroy, Danny Willett and Yani Tseng.
The global junior series expanded into Asia in 2006 recognising the vast potential of the Asian junior golf circuit. Since then, Laguna Lang Co has played a central role in the initiative as the host venue for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final: a reflection of its status as a Sir Nick Faldo Signature course.