Aa |   aA
"Thai Deputy Defense Minister Condemns Cambodia Over Landmine Incident Injuring Thai Soldiers; Keo Remy, however, warned, 'Please do not walk like a crab.'" | BREAKING: Tensions Escalate: Thai Troops Prepare to Launch Unauthorized Attack on Cambodian Territory Amid Internal Political Strife | Cambodia Rebuts Thailand’s Baseless Landmine Allegations and Urges Diplomacy to Maintain Regional Peace | Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Using Landmine Incidents as a Political Tool and Violating Ceasefire Agreements | Breaking: Kandal Provincial Police Arrest Notorious Lotion Manufacturer Love Riya | Cambodia Clarifies Misleading Claims About Ottawa Convention Meeting in Bangkok | Cambodia, China, and Thailand Discuss Regional Cooperation and Border Disputes at Mekong-Lancang Meeting | Smile Asia Philanthropic Visionary Award” Presented to Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet | Cambodia & Thailand Call for Restraint and Adherence to International Agreements | International Observer Team Conducts Monitoring Visit Following Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire Agreement | Cambodia, Vietnam Strengthen Ties in High‑Level Video Conference; Aim for $20B Trade |

Asian golf great Kyi Hla Han dies aged 61

  • Posted Feb 21, 2022 16:46 by Anthony Ellis
  • 2689
  Aa |   aA

INTERNATIONAL: Kyi Hla Han, one of the biggest figures in Asian golf both as a player and an official, has died, it was announced on Monday (Feb 21). The 61-year-old former Asian Tour number one and executive chairman died in Singapore on Saturday due to complications arising from cancer treatment.

"Asian golf has lost one of its greatest players, its greatest personalities and its greatest leaders," Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and chief executive of the Asian Tour said in a statement. "We will forever remember Kyi Hla."

Kyi Hla Han, who represented Myanmar in five World Cups and was pivotal in the growth of Asian golf after his retirement from competition in 2004, was described in the statement as "one of the most iconic figures in Asian golf".

Tributes began to come in from Asia and beyond with former European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn tweeting: "This is real sad news. Kyi Hla, I will miss your friendly ways and our great discussions. Gone way too soon. Rest in peace my friend."

Kyi Hla Han turned professional in 1980 and blazed a 25-year playing career that saw him win 12 times. Among his most notable wins were in the 1994 Singapore Open and the Volvo China Open in 1999, the year he also claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

After retiring as a player, he became the tour's executive chairman in 2006, the first Asian to assume the position which he held for more than 10 years. "On a personal note, Kyi Hla was a mentor to many of us within the management of the Asian Tour and was a massive influence in many of our lives and careers," Cho said.

"He always put the Asian Tour and its members first and was ultra-passionate about seeing Asian golf rise up on to the world stage." The Asian Tour said that it will create a Kyi Hla Han Future Champion Award in his honour to help the development of junior golfers in the region.


Related News