CHINESE 14-year-olds MISS CUT BUT IMPRESS AT AUSSIE OPEN

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ONEASIA TOUR

SYDNEY - China's teenage golf record-breakers Guo Tianlang and Andy Zhang may have missed the cut at  OneAsia's Emirates Australian Open, but they go home with their heads held high and the world at their feet after impressing seasoned professionals and fans alike.

The pair of 14-year-old amateurs has caught the attention of the golfing world in the past year, prompting pundits to wonder if China was becoming the sport's next nursery -- much as South Korea has done for the women's game in the past decade.

"It is very impressive and I wish them well," eight-time Major winner Tom Watson said of the inclusion of the Chinese pair at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. 

"I remember dreaming of playing in professional tournaments was I was their age, so to actually fulfil that dream must be fantastic for them."

Guan burst onto the scene in April when at just 13 he became the youngest player ever to take part in a men's professional tournament at OneAsia's Volvo China Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European Tour. 

He missed the cut after rounds of 77 and 79 left him 12 over par, but put down a marker than many thought would be hard to beat.

Just two months later, however, 14-year-old Andy Zhang (pictured left) gave notice of his arrival on the world stage by becoming the youngest person to take part in a U.S. Open, competing in the 112th edition of the championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Zhang had become an alternate after just missing regional qualifying, but as injuries mounted in the days leading to the tournament, his chance of taking part grew. Three days before the start, England's Paul Casey pulled out and Zhang was in. 

Under the sort of media scrutiny usually reserved for golf's most famous child prodigy -- a certain Tiger Woods -- Zhang shot rounds of 79 and 77 to miss the cut.

"It's not too young if you can do it," Woods said of Zhang at the time.

Guan wasn't finished yet, however. The now 14-year-old beat a field including players twice his age and size to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships in Thailand last month, securing an invitation to play at the U.S. Masters next year when he will become the youngest player ever to compete in golf's most prestigious Major.While Guan and Zhang do have some similarities to their backgrounds, they are also very different.

Beijing-born Zhang was spotted at the age of six by a South Korean teaching professional who took him under his wing after spotting him smacking balls with his businessman father.

By 10 he was already showing so much talent that his mother took him to the U.S. to try his hand at some age group tournaments. He did so well, they decided to stay and enrol at David Leadbetter's Academy.

Tall and well built by any standards, Zhang is outgoing and chatty in fluent America-accented English.  

"He really is a fantastic talent," said coach Andrew Park, a South African former touring pro who now has his own academy in Florida and a stable of successful students.

"You have to bear his age in mind when dealing with someone who is so good so young. Sometimes he is too hard on himself, when all you want is for him to go out there and have fun."

Guanzhou-born Guan was taught to play by his doctor father Fuan Han Wen at the age of four and beat him for the first time when he was nine. 

Also tall for his age, Guan is more more reserved in nature but nevertheless unfailingly polite in English or Chinese.

Guan's parents travel with him everywhere he goes. His mother Jenny Liu Hong Yu is a familiar sight outside the ropes and his father is always at hand to chat to followers. 

Zhang, now based in Florida with his mother Li Hui, is given a longer leash, although always accompanied by the cheery Christopher Gold, 24, who operates as a coach and caddy -- and friend and mentor. 

Guan looked slightly out of his depth -- or rather length -- in the first round on Thursday when he shot a 10-over 82, but all his talent was on display in the second round when he went two under.

 

"I really enjoyed this week," Guan (left) said of his second experience in a professional strokeplay tournament -- he was also part of Team China in the Ryder Cup-style Dongfeng Nissan Cup last week.

"I wasn't nervous, but it's my first time playing in front of so many spectators. It will be helpful for me to prepare for the U.S. Masters next year when there will be tens of thousands of people every round.

 

"No matter the result, this week was very helpful, and great for me to get more experience."

Zhang -- who played in OneAsia's Kolon Korea Open last month as well as the European Masters in Switzerland in September -- could also see only positives from the experience despite rounds of 76 and 77. 

"I played with a great bunch of guys and it was good to see how they handle themselves under pressure," Zhang said.

"I think I sometimes let things get to me when a shot goes wrong or a hole goes wrong, so it is definitely something I can learn from them."