Guan Tianlang is the youngest golfer to ever compete at the US Masters tournament.
Guan Tianlang: Ready to make his mark
Guan, the reigning Asia-Pacific champion, is just 14-years-old and is regarded by the golfing fraternity as the embodiment of what the sport has recently striven to achieve.
In the past it has been well documented that golf authorities in the United States and around the world have sought to spread the gospel of the game while also reaching out to the younger generation.
Guan, like many boys was inspired by Tiger Woods during the early stages of his career. His first memory of Woods was at the 2005 US Masters - the last time the 14-time major champion won the prestigious tournament.
What was particularly memorable about that tournament was that Woods' short game won him the title after a dramatic play-off with Chris DiMarco. Guan is well known for his sterling short game.
"That was the time I got to know the PGA Tour," Guan told the New York Times this week.
However Guan's parents were ultimately the people who influenced him to play the sport. His father got him playing when he was just three years old.
"I watched them play all the time, and my dad gave me a set of kid golf clubs to play when I was 3 or 4,"said Guan.
"I enjoy the game so much and I have been doing it well since I took up the game," he added.
Guan is still young and his body probably hasn't matured enough for him to effectively negotiate the long course at Augusta National. However, he remains confident he can make a significant impact. His limitations certainly
haven't stifled his desire to do well at the most prestigious tournament in North America.
"I think I have a chance to make the cut. I beat Hideki Matsuyama in Thailand, and he's made the cut twice. However, making the cut is not my target. I'm more concerned about what I'll show the world. I like the proverb 'Man proposes, God disposes.'"
The US Masters is famous for its much coveted green jacket. However, when Guan first arrived at Augusta it was the course itself which caught his immediate attention.
"My first impression when I first arrived into the entrance of Augusta National was that the grass was so much greener than other golf courses that I had been to," he said.
"Augusta National has a long history of famous golfers and matches between them. I am so excited to stand and play the course where so many famous golfers have made history."
Top women's golfer Shanshan Feng was the first Chinese golfer to win a major on the LPGA Tour and is also from Guan's home town of Guangzhou.
"I could always tell he was really talented," said Feng.
Feng is confident Guan's game will develop significantly as his career progresses.
"He has a very nice swing, he hits the ball very well, he has a very good short game," she added.
Golf is at a developmental stage in China. However the expectations from that country are particularly high. Feng just hopes that the immense pressure doesn't affect Guan's development and progress.
"I hope people back home don't give him too much pressure, which happened a little bit to Andy Zhang after the U.S. Open. I would say that if people don't give him too much pressure, he can make more magic happen," she added.
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