After 54 holes at Siam Country Club – Rolling Hills (Thailand), the leaderboard continued to shift dramatically on “Moving Day.” Despite the volatility, Vietnam has maintained a strong presence among the leading contenders in both individual and team events, keeping medal aspirations firmly alive heading into the final round.

The standout performance of the day (December 13) belonged to Nguyễn Anh Minh. The 18-year-old Vietnamese golfer delivered a near-flawless round, carding a bogey-free 67 (-5) with five birdies to record his third consecutive under-par round of the tournament. With a three-round total of -8, Anh Minh surged into a share of second place (T2) in the men’s individual standings.

Beyond his individual leap up the leaderboard, Anh Minh’s exceptional round proved crucial in helping Vietnam’s men’s team retain third place in the team standings, preserving their medal contention ahead of the decisive final round. At the previous SEA Games, Anh Minh captured a bronze medal in the men’s individual event. This time, his current position presents a clear opportunity to upgrade the color of his medal, and potentially aim even higher if he can sustain his form in the final round.

In Round 3, the remaining members of Vietnam’s men’s team also contributed important scores: Nguyễn Tuấn Anh posted a 72, Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng carded a 73, while Hồ Anh Huy finished with a 76. Although none matched Anh Minh’s surge, the team’s overall consistency has kept Vietnam firmly in the hunt for a team medal.

In the women’s individual event, Lê Chúc An continues to carry Vietnam’s strongest hopes. The young golfer returned a 75 in Round 3 to hold onto third place on the individual leaderboard. The margin separating Chúc An from those chasing behind is now just one stroke, highlighting the intense pressure expected in the final round. More importantly, she remains within the medal positions, despite trailing the leaders by six and eight strokes, respectively.

If she can maintain her composure and consistency over the final 18 holes, Lê Chúc An has a genuine chance to make history, becoming the first Vietnamese female golfer to win a SEA Games medal. Such an achievement would mark a significant milestone not only for Chúc An personally, but also for the long-term development of women’s golf in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s other female representatives, Lê Nguyễn Minh Anh and Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân, recorded scores of 81 and 86 in Round 3.

Elsewhere, the race for the men’s individual gold medal appears increasingly clear-cut, as Fifa Laoparkdee (Thailand) continues to assert his dominance. The former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner is closing in on the SEA Games gold medal, a scenario widely anticipated even before the tournament began. His steady form, elite-level experience, and home-course advantage have allowed Laoparkdee to build a commanding cushion heading into the final round.

With just 18 holes remaining at SEA Games 33, the Vietnam National Golf Team stands at a pivotal moment, with realistic medal opportunities in both the men’s and women’s individual events. Nguyễn Anh Minh is poised for a potential medal upgrade, while Lê Chúc An carries the hopes of a historic breakthrough for Vietnam’s women’s golf.

The final round promises to be a demanding test of mental strength, composure, and course management. Vietnamese golf fans have every reason to hope for a positive outcome, provided the players can maintain their focus and replicate the level of performance shown over the first three days of competition.

GolfEdit.com