Vietnam Golf on the Integration Journey: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Sports Landscape

The stadium was empty, but the applause still echoed in my mind. That is the image I carried from Tokyo 2026, when Peter Bol knelt on the track and kissed the ground after his 800m race. Throughout 49 years of following sports, I have witnessed countless similar moments — where humans transcend their own limits to seek recognition. But football and athletics are not the only sports undergoing fundamental changes. Golf, with its rich history and seemingly unchangeable rules, is experiencing its biggest transformation in the 21st century. Vietnam, with its strategic geographical position and impressive economic growth rate, is gradually becoming a notable destination on the world golf map. But the question is: Are we building a sustainable golf ecosystem, or just chasing impressive numbers on paper? In the context of rapid globalization, the global golf industry is experiencing unprecedented changes. The emergence of LIV Golf in 2026 created a deep rift in the unified landscape of professional golf that had existed for decades. The world's top golfers face a choice: stay with the PGA Tour with its tradition and historical prestige, or join LIV Golf with unprecedented financial packages in the sport's history. This is not merely a battle over money. It is a battle over power, vision, and how to define the future of a sport standing at a crossroads. The PGA Tour, with over 90 years of history, represents the traditional model — where rankings and titles are built through decades of fierce competition. LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, brings a different vision — more concise, more profitable, but also raising many questions about true competitiveness. For decades, the professional golf world operated under a relatively simple logic: compete more, win more, climb higher in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). OWGR is not just a number — it is a measure of talent recognition, the key to entering prestigious major championships, and a decisive factor in securing spots on flights to the world's most prestigious golf courses. But when LIV Golf emerged with its own tournament system, the question about OWGR became more complex than ever. LIV Golf tournaments are not awarded OWGR points, creating a paradox: the finest golfers can compete at the highest level but are not reflected on the official ranking. This raises questions about the nature of measuring success in sports — is it titles, prize money, or recognition from a globally acknowledged measurement system? For Vietnam, this debate is not merely theoretical. In recent years, we have witnessed a significant increase in golf courses — from standard 18-hole courses to high-end golf resorts. Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and many other localities are heavily investing in golf infrastructure, hoping to attract international tourists and generate new revenue for the tourism sector. But developing golf courses does not equate to developing golf. To build a sustainable golf ecosystem, more elements are needed. First is athlete training — not only at the professional level, but also at the grassroots level, where young talents are discovered and nurtured. Second is a tournament system — from amateur events to semi-professional competitions, creating a development pathway for young athletes. Third is supporting infrastructure — from coaches and technical experts to medical and rehabilitation services. Rohan runs with his legs, but he wins with his breath. The words of Australian sprinter Rohan Browning, whom I once interviewed, may be the best reminder for those wanting to develop golf in Vietnam. Success does not come from impressive numbers on financial reports, but from patience, from building a solid foundation, and from nurturing real talents. Dense scheduling is a major challenge for any professional golfer. At the professional level, top golfers can compete in 25-30 events per year, each lasting four days, plus travel time, practice, and recovery. This pressure not only affects performance but also impacts mental and physical health. No medical team can save someone playing two matches per week — a reality many sports organizations are facing. For Vietnam, this lesson is even more significant. Instead of chasing the number of tournaments, perhaps we should focus on quality — creating truly meaningful events, with transparent ranking systems and clear development opportunities for young athletes. Sponsorship on uniforms is destroying clubs' connections with local communities — this is a viewpoint I have pursued for years. In the golf context, this can be understood as over-reliance on global sponsors rather than building deep connections with local communities. A golf course is not just a competition venue — it is a community center, where golf enthusiasts gather, where the younger generation is exposed to the sport, and where local cultural identity is expressed. Looking at the broader picture of the global golf industry, changes underway affect not only professional golfers but the entire value chain — from equipment manufacturers, golf courses, and broadcasters to sports betting and data companies. Every decision by the PGA Tour or LIV Golf can create ripple effects reaching even the smallest golf courses in Vietnam. Croatia did not have the trophy, but they created a new measure of patience. The 2026 World Cup semifinal remains a memorable experience in my memory — Luka Modric ran 15.6 km with only 39% possession time, but the 2-1 victory said it all. That was a counterattack strategy — not overwhelming, just patiently waiting for the opponent's mistakes. Croatia's story reminds us that in sports, sometimes the longest road is the shortest path to success. For Vietnam, this lesson is even more valuable. Instead of seeking quick successes, perhaps we should build a solid foundation — in infrastructure, training, tournament systems, and golf culture. This is a long journey, but the only journey leading to sustainable development. Exhaustion is not the end point, but a crossroads where we choose our next path. That is the message I want to send to those building the golf ecosystem in Vietnam. Look at current challenges — from global competition to changes in governance systems — not as obstacles, but as opportunities to reposition and find our own path. Vietnamese golf is facing an important period. With policy support, private sector investment, and the passion of millions of sports enthusiasts, we have the potential to become a significant golf destination in the Asia-Pacific region. But this can only be achieved if we build on a solid foundation, with a long-term vision, and with a real commitment to human development — not just good golfers, but good citizens of the global golf community.