Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

A S I A N G O L F F L A G B E A R E R H A N N E V E R T O B E F O R G O T T E N 25 Most notable on his playing CV were victories in the 1994 Singapore Open and 1999 Volvo China Open, the year he topped the standings in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, earning him a maiden Major appearance at St Andrews in the 2000 Open Championship. Along the way he rubbed shoulders with all-time greats such as Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Vijay Singh. Never did Kyi Hla look out of place alongside any of them. As he would discover later in his role as Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, the competition and power battles in boardrooms around the world were no less daunting or intense. Fighting for the rights and recognition of Asian players, on occasions he found himself pitting his wits against heavyweight Tour commissioners Tim Finchem and Ken Schofield. Through it all, Kyi Hla essentially remained the same easy-going, kind, caring and humble character. Neither did he ever lose sight of his good fortune in being able to carve a glittering career from a sport at which he excelled and loved; nor did his passion or spirit of generosity in sharing time and laughter with family and friends ever wane. The outpouring of love and affection that greeted his cruelly premature passing was testament not only to his standing as one of the Asian game’s iconic figures spanning the best part of four decades, but also the esteem in which he was held, evidenced by social media postings from many who may never have met him but were well aware of his achievements. Added Cho: “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. 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. We will strive to continue his legacy and make him proud of the Asian Tour that he devoted his life to.” A true flag-bearer for Asian golf, but outside of golf he was laidback, funny and very popular. Charismatic beyond words, he always had time for anyone who needed advice, and everyone was welcome in his home. He loved his family, music and the great outdoors. Said Asian Tour Board member Dominique Boulet and close friend: “Small in stature but with a big game and a bigger heart, he was the best, most loyal, supportive and generous friend a man could ever ask for! His eternal optimism and laughter is a loss to us all.” Given the reverence in which Kyi Hla is held by so many of the current generation, it’s fitting that the Asian Tour and the Han familty should ensure his legacy will thrive with the creation of The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Programme in his honour to aid the development of up-and-coming players, which will kick off in 2023. A devoted husband to Marlene and father to Natasha and Kaitlyn, Kyi Hla’s passing left a huge gap in the lives of all those blessed to have known him and spent precious time in his company. He will never be forgotten. Kyi Hla Han (BELOW) at a press conference in Myanmar in 2013 as Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour and competing in an Open Championship qualifier in Malaysia in 2004 (LEFT).