Dou Zecheng, a 17-year-old Chinese talent, got his first taste of world-class tournament since turning professional recently when he teed off at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai yesterday.

The Liaoning Province native, who gained a wildcard entry, is among six Chinese golfers at this year's tournament being played at Sheshan Golf Club. Veteran Zhang Lianwei also has a wildcard, with Liang Wenchong, Li Haotong, Hu Mu and Wu Ashun completing the Chinese contingent.

Dou represented China at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in August and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea the following month.

"I'm excited about getting the chance to learn from the world's top golfers," Dou said ahead of the tournament. "I am not thinking too much about my result, it's a learning process and I will not put myself under too much pressure."

Dou was paired with Jaco van Zyl and Dawie van der Walt yesterday. While his partners both finished the first round at 2 under, Dou fired a 4-over-par 76. Zhang was the leading home favorite, tied for 37th at 1 over.

Counting Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood as his idols, the confident youngster did not hide his ambition. "Some day, when I'm allowed into this tournament on my own ability, I will set a target and even try to join the hunt for the championship," Dou said.

He announced shortly before the HSBC Champions that he was turning professional. "It's my own decision. These two years are the key period of my development and turning professional will make my progress faster," the youngster explained.

Dou is one of China's prodigies who has been involved in the China Young Golfer Development Plan for years. The plan is jointly promoted by the China Golf Association and title sponsor HSBC.

Having turned professional, Dou has named his father as his agent.

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