Nguyen Anh Minh and a month full of challenges, impressions and emotions in America

TPO - After a whole month of tirelessly competing in three consecutive major tournaments in the US, Nguyen Anh Minh, Vietnam's number 1 golfer, concluded his once-in-a-lifetime tour with a full range of emotions: the joy of victory, the quiet low notes, and even the unforgettable regrets. But above all, those were invaluable experiences, forging in him maturity, resilience, and a strong desire to bring Vietnamese golf to stand shoulder to shoulder with international friends.

Báo Tiền Phong•14/08/2025

To domestic fans, Nguyen Anh Minh is already a familiar face. But in the land of the stars and stripes, the 18-year-old is gradually becoming a new phenomenon. From emotional rounds in junior tournaments to historic milestones at tournaments under the United States Golf Association (USGA), Anh Minh has created moments that have caught the attention of experts and international media.

Opening the tour, at the 2025 US Junior Amateur in Trinity Forest (Dallas), Anh Minh wrote a new page in history when he became the first Vietnamese golfer to reach the finals of a USGA tournament, facing home golfer Hamilton Coleman.

Just a few days later, Anh Minh continued to participate in the Western Amateur Championship 2025 at Skokie Country Club (Chicago), one of the most demanding courses in amateur golf in the world .

Although he had to stop in the round of 16 against home golfer Garrett Endicott, Anh Minh's spirit, perseverance and strong will made the audience here give him the nickname "Vietnam Iron Man".

During the two tournaments, Anh Minh played 11 consecutive rounds at the US Junior Amateur, spent exactly one day traveling from Dallas to Chicago, and then immediately entered 5 intense rounds at the Western Amateur.

Anh Minh signs autographs for golf fans in the US.

The journey in the US ended with the 2025 US Amateur Championship, which brought together 47 of the top 50 golfers in the World Amateur Rankings (WAGR). Faced with a tough challenge, Anh Minh, despite his best efforts, failed to make it past the cut.

However, his performance throughout the trip helped him rise to 37th place in the WAGR, the highest ranking of his career and also an unprecedented milestone in the history of Vietnamese golf.

In just a few weeks, Anh Minh will begin a new chapter in his career when he joins the Oregon State University golf team for the 2025/26 season. Coach Jon Reehoorn does not hide his expectations: "He is the most successful rookie in our history."

A month in the US has come to an end, but for Nguyen Anh Minh, this is just the beginning of a long journey. The relentless efforts, historical milestones and belief in tomorrow will continue to bring him and Vietnamese golf closer to the top of the world.