A YOUNG golfing “genius” could be Myanmar’s own Tiger Woods. With 10 years experience already behind him at the age of 18, Nay Bala Win Myint has set his sights on joining an international golf tour such as PGA, the Professional Golfers’ Association.

Nay Bala Win Myint told The Myanmar Times that becoming a professional golfer was his only childhood dream. “I believe I will achieve my goal soon,” he said confidently.
During a decade of his golfing life, Nay Bala Win Myint has played in about 60 tournaments, both local and international, and won about 45 medals.

His most recent victory was in the Myanmar Amateur Golf Open 2008, held from March 4 to 7 at Yangon Golf Club. He scored 291 points and grabbed the title.

The highest-ranking competition for him so far was the 23rd Bangladesh Open in Dhaka, from February 27 to March 1. He won the handicap single event with 289 points while the Myanmar team, which included his partner Bo Bo Lay, came second in team events, scoring 10 points more than the champion Pakistan Team.

According to his father, U Thura Win Myint, Nay Bala Win Myint seems to be a genius in golf. “When he started to accompany me on the green, he was eight years old. Even then he could hit the ball as well as someone with several months of practice,” he said, adding that his parents, seeing his ability, have always strongly supported their son.

“My parents’ support is the main reason for my success,” Nay Bala Win Myint said.

But he also points to his own efforts. He practises from 6am to 6pm, six days in a week at the Han Golf Academy under the supervision of instructors U Chan Han and U Ko Ko Lay. And he studies not only by reading golf instruction books, but also by watching international matches.

“I mostly watch Tiger Woods. He’s a well-off guy and the king of golf. His physique, his playing style and his physical appearance are all really encouraging. He is a real tiger of golf,” Nay Bala Win Myint said.

“I think I have some similarities with Tiger Wood. He had to struggle in his life. We have to do likewise, since golf is not widely played in our country and we need to break into it. He has inspired me in many ways,” he said.

Nay Bala Win Myint has drawn lessons from reverses, including at the 2007 ASEAN Junior Golf Championships in Malaysia. “Although I stood first in the first two days of the event, I ended up in seventh place. Maybe I was overconfident. But I see that experience as a lesson for my future tournaments,” he said.

He believes concentration is a vital element for golfers, as the slightest distraction can lead to failure. He found this problem hard to overcome, but now feels he has succeeded. He sees the control of emotions as one of the side effects of golf.

“As we golfers have to rely on ourselves, we do not rush into decisions. We exercise self-control. And also, golf is good for health and social relations,” he said, claiming that you can get to know someone better in a single 18-hole game than by “sitting around a table and chatting for 19 years”.

“Golf has advantages for life in general. Becoming a professional golfer can pave a way to a good career,” Nay Bala Win Myint said.