Guan fires 73 in historic Masters debut
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E-mail China Daily, April 12, 2013
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Fourteen-year-old Guan Tianlang of China (R) hits his approach shot to the first green next to caddie Brian Tam (L) during first round play in the 2013 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] |
IN AWE
Others watching the impressive 14-year-old were awed by his maturity on the golf course.
Jarut Padung, 24, a PGA teaching professional at the TPC Sawgrass course in Florida, was impressed.
"It's pretty cool that he can handle it," Padung said about the pressure. "He looks so calm. It's cool to see how calm he is. I think it's incredible and I wonder how many will try to walk in his track."
Twelve-year-old David Mustard watched Guan from along the fairway at the par-four third hole, where the Chinese dropped in a 15-foot putt for birdie.
"I came down here to watch him," said Mustard, who comes from Athens, Georgia. "I can't believe he can be that good."
Guan did not let adversity get him down.
At the par-four 11th hole, he pulled his approach shot into the pond guarding the green on the left. From the drop area, he knocked a wedge shot to within three feet and converted for a brilliant bogey-save.
Crenshaw, who played a practice round with Guan on Monday, recognises the gifts that make Guan special.
"He stays well within himself, he's very confident, and obviously has beautiful hands," said Crenshaw. "His thought process never got rushed, he's very patient. Very, very, very impressive."
Guan is soft spoken and articulate, tending toward understatement though he is confident and by no means bashful.
Asked if he thought he could win the tournament, Guan, who stands seven shots off the pace, said: "I think probably not this year, but I think I can win it in the future."
When asked about his ambitions, the boy who was first inspired by watching Tiger Woods win majors on TV, envisioned outdoing his idol.
"I want to win a major and hopefully I can win the four majors in one year," he said, drawing laughs from the press corps.
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